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Senior physicians may care for fewer patients with Medicaid and from racial/ethnic minorities than junior physicians

A new study found that senior physicians in cognitive and procedural specialties see fewer Medicaid patients and those from racial/ethnic minorities compared to junior physicians. This raises concerns about a two-tiered healthcare system and disparities in patient access.

SourceHarvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeObservational study·DateDec 13, 2023

County–level variation in preterm birth rates

Substantial geographic disparities in US preterm birth rates were observed, with nearly 1 in 6 counties experiencing increases between 2007 and 2019. These disparities are linked to place-based social disadvantage, highlighting the need for targeted interventions.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateDec 8, 2023

Behind the scenes of social class on TV

A team of researchers from the University of Leeds is studying how social class influences TV shows and their reception by audiences. The study will consider the backgrounds of producers, talent, and crew members, as well as how shows represent class and are understood by viewers.

Focus on state as ‘problem parent’ rather than care-experienced mothers – new research

Mothers with a criminal record and care experience face negative judgements and excessive scrutiny due to their 'known' status. The study emphasizes the need for supportive dialogue across disciplinary boundaries to break cycles of stigma and social care involvement, focusing on safe spaces and trust-building for care-experienced mothers.

SourceLancaster University·JournalThe British Journal of Criminology·TypeCase study·DateJul 10, 2023

Solidarity and resistance: Key to Las Kellys' making themselves seen

The Las Kellys collective has constructed its identity through solidarity and resistance, uniting hotel room attendants and other feminized and precarious workers in Spain. Their strategy has led to increased media attention, public debate, and political repercussions, shedding light on the poor working conditions faced by these workers.

SourceUniversitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC)·JournalCurrent Issues in Tourism·TypeCase study·DateJul 7, 2023

What makes someone likely to be a first-gen college grad? Money

A new study reveals that first-generation college graduates often originate from more affluent families with greater resources. This challenges the notion of a meritocracy, where success is solely based on individual effort. The research highlights the significant advantage these students have due to their family's socioeconomic status.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalSociological Quarterly·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateApr 21, 2023

Does immigration really increase crime?

Researchers led by Nicolas Ajzenman found that immigrants don't increase crime rates, but people's perception of crime does. In Chile, migrants' presence sparked concerns among citizens, with those exposed to immigration inflows more likely to rank crime as a top concern.

SourceMcGill University·JournalAmerican Economic Journal Applied Economics·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 29, 2023

Out with the old, in with the new? Exploring differences in elite mobility during the Meiji Restoration

A new study by Tokyo University of Science researchers examines the connection between political regime changes and social mobility during the Meiji Restoration. The results show that social mobility increased before the consolidation of a new political power, with meritocracy playing a key role in this period.

SourceTokyo University of Science·JournalBritish Journal of Sociology·TypeLiterature review·DateFeb 13, 2023

Conflicting motives govern sense of fairness

A study by researchers at the University of Zurich found that people are reluctant to harm others and upend existing social hierarchies when considering distributive justice. The participants were more willing to reduce inequality but maintained the existing hierarchy, suggesting a complex interplay between conflicting motives.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 5, 2022

Lost medieval chapel sheds light on royal burials at Westminster Abbey, finds new study featuring 15th-century reconstruction

A new study has shed light on the lost medieval chapel of St Erasmus at Westminster Abbey, revealing its role as a royal burial site and its connection to the cult of a disembowelled saint. The chapel, demolished in 1502, is believed to have held relics, including a single tooth, and featured gruesome images of the saint's martyrdom.

SourceTaylor & Francis Group·JournalJournal of the British Archaeological Association·DateNov 30, 2022

In medieval Norway, high-class people had stronger bones

A study published in PLOS ONE found that high-status individuals in medieval Norway had higher bone mineral density and were taller than those from lower socio-economic backgrounds. This suggests that socioeconomic status may have played a role in shaping health outcomes over time.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeObservational study·DateOct 19, 2022

Facebook and Instagram addiction in adolescents linked to inequality, international study of 179,000 children suggests

A new study published in Information, Communication and Society journal found a strong link between economic inequality and problematic social media use among adolescents. The research, involving over 179,000 schoolchildren from 40 countries, suggests that new strategies are needed to reduce the impact of deprivation on social media use.

SourceTaylor & Francis Group·JournalInformation Communication & Society·DateSep 7, 2022

Study shows how Black male teacher-coaches illustrate civic-focused education

A study by University of Kansas faculty member Daniel Thomas III founds Black male teacher-coaches in predominantly white private schools employ unique civic-oriented practices to counter historical anti-Blackness. They engage students and athletes in social activism, community service, and critical civic engagement.

SourceUniversity of Kansas·JournalTheory & Research in Social Education·TypeCase study·DateAug 25, 2022

Implicit bias and concern about appearing racist predict teachers’ reluctance to discuss race and racism in the classroom

A new study by Linda Tropp found that teachers' implicit racial biases and concerns about being perceived as racist independently contribute to their lower intentions to discuss race with students. Recent teacher training programs have focused on addressing implicit biases, but not conscious concerns about being seen as racist.

SourceUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst·JournalSocial Psychology of Education·TypeMeta-analysis·DateJul 25, 2022

Faces of dominance: why the faces of women and men are perceived differently by liberals and conservatives

A study found that liberals and conservatives read dominance signals differently in the faces of men and women, with conservative biases against women's faces. The researchers suggest that this perception may be rooted in evolutionary psychology and traditional social hierarchies.

SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalJournal of the Association for Consumer Research·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 8, 2022

Requests for anti-racism classroom curricula increased following recent police brutality events

A study found a significant increase in requests for anti-racism books and materials following police brutality events and BLM protests, particularly among teachers of younger students. The demand for inclusive curriculum materials also rose sharply, with over $3.4 million worth of books acquired for half a million students.

SourceCarnegie Mellon University·JournalManagement Science·DateNov 22, 2021

How many children don’t eat lunch on school days in Canada? A new study documents the gaps of current school food programs

A recent study published by the University of Ottawa found that over 1 in 20 Canadian children do not eat lunch on school days, with older kids and those from food-insecure households being the most affected. The study also reveals that children living in food-insecure households are twice as likely to miss lunch compared to their peers.

SourceUniversity of Ottawa·JournalJournal of Hunger & Environmental Nutrition·DateOct 28, 2021

Largest population-based study of "lazy eye" reveals public health’s blind spots

A recent study of 1.5 million Israeli teens found that approximately 1% have lazy eye, with a decline in incidence over the past two decades. Socioeconomic factors and ultra-orthodox upbringing are linked to increased risk, while immigrants from certain countries have a higher prevalence

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalEuropean Journal of Public Health·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 13, 2021

The growing threat of wildfires in America

A study by Matthew Auer highlights the need for community-led wildfire protection plans to address growing threats, particularly among low-income households. These plans can provide educational resources, fire-resistant home construction, and access to funding.

SourceUniversity of Georgia·JournalSustainability Science·DateSep 8, 2021

As more US adults intend to have covid vaccine, national study also finds more people feel it’s not needed

A national study of 75,000 US adults found a near 18 percentage point increase in those willing to get vaccinated, but also a rise in skepticism among certain groups. Disparities persist in vaccine confidence, particularly among younger adults, non-Hispanic Black or multiple races, and lower socioeconomic status.

SourceTaylor & Francis Group·JournalAnnals of Medicine·TypeMeta-analysis·DateSep 6, 2021

When provided personalized health resources, patients often share with others

Researchers discovered that almost half of patients who received personalized information about community resources shared them with at least one other person. Individuals in poorer health were more likely to report sharing the information, and those who visited or used a resource on their list were also more likely to share it.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Medical Center·JournalJournal of the Association for Information Science and Technology·DateAug 5, 2021

Envy divides society

A game theoretical study by Claudius Gros shows that envy can lead to the emergence of social classes in a society. The study simulates individual behaviour in a competitive environment, where agents with different skills and opportunities interact.

SourceGoethe University Frankfurt·JournalRoyal Society Open Science·DateJun 17, 2020

Study: Cultural variables play important role in perceptions of status, power

A new study finds that cultural orientation significantly affects how individuals perceive the relationship between power and status. In cultures with a vertical collectivist orientation, powerful leaders are often seen as having high status, while in horizontal collectivistic cultures, high-status individuals are viewed as powerful. T...

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalOrganizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes·DateApr 16, 2020

Tax incentives for businesses could contribute to the decline of the middle class

A new study by West Virginia University researchers found that economic development incentives may contribute to the decline of middle-class jobs. The study examined the impact of tax breaks on employment trends in two cities, San Antonio and Birmingham, and found that incentivizing creative-class industries led to job losses in workin...

SourceWest Virginia University·JournalEconomic Development Quarterly·DateMar 9, 2020

Study examines the benefits of childbirth education classes during pregnancy

A retrospective study found that participating in childbirth education classes nearly tripled the likelihood of a successful normal vaginal delivery. The study controlled for socioeconomic factors and other differences, suggesting that these classes lead to lower intervention needs and less instrumental deliveries.

SourceWiley·JournalInternational Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics·DateJan 8, 2020

Speech and social class perception

Using audio recordings, researchers found that listening to speech patterns allowed strangers to accurately predict social class, age, gender, and race more than half the time. Speech patterns were less accurate for social class judgments compared to other categories, suggesting they may perpetuate social inequality.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 21, 2019