Articles tagged with Social Inequality
A new study integrates fair-share considerations into climate models, revealing different pathways to achieve the same global climate outcome. Regions with higher responsibility and capability cut emissions faster domestically, while lower-responsibility regions see net improvements to consumption.
The study found that AI adoption has increased, but unevenly, with knowledge-intensive occupations and higher-educated employees benefiting most. However, there is a risk that existing inequalities will become further entrenched without targeted support measures.
A new global study finds nearly half of children under 5 in developing regions are poor, undernourished, or both. The report highlights the urgent need for multisectoral approaches to address child poverty, with over 96 million children experiencing four to five deprivations, including undernutrition and out-of-school status.
A new PNAS special feature examines how segregation shapes environmental risks and benefits in cities, including access to water, safety from floods, and exposure to extreme heat. The authors argue that understanding segregation as a social-ecological system can help break cycles and build more equitable cities.
A survey of 17 G20 countries found that 65% of respondents believe the economic system is rigged to favor the rich and powerful, while 69% want major changes. However, only 31% trust their government to make decisions that benefit the majority in the long term.
A recent study by Ingvild Almås explores why people worldwide accept or reject inequality, revealing differences between Western and non-Western societies. While global populations tend to accept merit-based fairness, there are significant variations, with non-Western countries like China and India exhibiting a high acceptance of luck-...
A review published in the journal CANCER reveals that cost-effective interventions such as single-dose HPV vaccination, screen-and-treat strategies, and workforce development can substantially improve outcomes in low- and middle-income countries. These interventions can bridge the survival gap between LMICs and wealthier nations.
Research reveals systemic racial barriers to blood donation among Black Canadians, rooted in restrictive policies and individual experiences of racism. The study aims to increase awareness and improve communication with Black communities to increase donor representation and meet the need for specific blood types.
Researchers propose 'Thermal Justice' framework to address heat-related inequalities, combining emergency measures with structural changes. The framework prioritizes exposed residents, accessible cooling, and worker protection during heatwaves, while retrofitting housing and expanding green infrastructure between heatwaves.
Older women in Australia are facing growing risk of hidden homelessness due to climate change, unpaid care work, and financial inequality. The problem is compounded by a lack of affordable housing and inadequate social protections, leaving them exposed to housing insecurity and poverty.
The report highlights chronic underinvestment in Native American communities, with recent Trump administration cuts exacerbating the issue. The current lack of funding is particularly troubling, given increased investments during the Covid pandemic.
A new study found that older adults living in homes with electrical or plumbing problems, insufficient space, or poor lighting are more likely to experience a fall. The study analyzed data from over 5,500 adults aged 65 and over, revealing a significant association between housing conditions and fall risk.
A study of over-50s in Brazil and Europe found aging-related decline begins a decade earlier in Brazil due to social disparities. The findings highlight the impact of socioeconomic factors on healthy aging.
A new study reveals persistent barriers in accessing California's coastline for less wealthy and marginalized groups, perpetuating disadvantage. The research emphasizes the importance of diverse perspectives in management and rule-making to ensure the ocean benefits everyone regardless of race, gender, or income level.
A new study finds that higher education and income have varying health benefits across different racial and ethnic groups in the United States. For non-Hispanic Black participants, higher educational attainment was only associated with a 4% reduction in type 2 diabetes prevalence, while higher income was linked to increased obesity rates.
A study revealed persistent disparities in cancer care for LGBTQ+ populations, particularly transgender individuals, who face significant challenges accessing breast and cervical cancer screenings. The research highlights the urgent need for targeted interventions to bridge these gaps and ensure equitable care.
A UC3M study finds that crime rates are not linked to immigration status, but rather to demographic factors such as age and gender. The research also highlights the need to standardize crime rates to make valid comparisons and concludes that regularization policies can be effective security tools.
The study analyzes household consumption and carbon intensity in 88 countries, revealing that income disparities within groups are more significant than between rich and poor. The research provides guidance on socially balancing climate policy, including factors like car ownership, energy use, and geographical location.
A new study reveals that employer points systems, which penalize workers for absences regardless of reason, are strongly associated with presenteeism and undermine public health benefits of paid sick leave laws. Workers in the US who were subject to these systems were more likely to show up to work while sick.
A new AI-powered translation program developed by the National Weather Service (NWS) translates weather forecasts into multiple languages, including Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese, Samoan, and French. The program aims to provide life-saving information to over 68 million US residents who do not speak English at home.
A recent study analyzing nearly 800,000 fashion images reveals that while representation has broadened, the typical female model body has remained remarkably stable. Diversity is primarily concentrated in a small number of models at the extremes rather than through a shift in the norm itself.
The study reveals climate change is a growing social crisis, disrupting connections and community belonging, with impacts felt through heatwaves, air pollution, and economic strain. Vulnerable populations, such as those on low incomes or living with disability, are disproportionately affected by climate-related isolation.
A new peer-reviewed study found that Michigan State University's Rx Kids program is associated with substantial reductions in child maltreatment investigations among infants. The program provided early economic support to families, leading to a 7-percentage-point decline or 32% relative reduction in maltreatment investigations.
A new study found that stroke incidence is rising again, with higher rates in Black African and Black Caribbean populations, as well as those experiencing socioeconomic deprivation. The study highlights the need for targeted interventions to prevent strokes and address systemic inequalities.
A recent study reveals that individuals with higher education or income are more aware of and use AI tools, exacerbating social inequalities. The researchers recommend increasing engagement with AI-related topics through outreach campaigns, educational programs, and community workshops to reduce this new digital divide.
A study by the University of Cambridge found that racism and socioeconomic stress can alter key physiological processes in the body during pregnancy, leading to higher rates of preeclampsia and preterm birth in black women. These changes are not due to genetic differences but rather persistent socio-environmental stressors.
A study estimates that quitting tobacco could give a major economic uplift to over 20 million households in India, with the greatest impact felt in rural areas and among the poorest households. The analysis suggests that these households would receive a significant boost in income, potentially moving up one or two economic classes.
A decade-long analysis reveals a significant gap in solo female Irish artists reaching number one on charts, but data-driven intervention has led to a shift in Brit Awards nominations. The study highlights the impact of commercial mechanisms like airplay on public recognition and industry trends.
A new study by University of East London researchers reveals that women are being shut out of workplaces due to a hidden time gap caused by unpaid care and rigid social expectations. This 'time squeeze' leaves women with less time for networking, training, and progression, hindering their career advancement.
The Robert A. Winn Excellence in Clinical Trials Award Program has partnered with AstraZeneca to support five medical students participating in the Winn Clinical Investigator Pathway Program (Winn CIPP). The program provides immersive training, mentorship, and hands-on experience to prepare students for careers in clinical research.
A study by ISGlobal found that areas with high conflict intensity recorded a higher disease burden, including higher TB case rates and mortality. The research highlights the need for control strategies adapted to each territory, incorporating conflict-sensitive approaches into surveillance, prevention, and healthcare systems.
A new study published in The Lancet Public Health found that community-based parenting programmes like Strengthening Families, Strengthening Communities can improve family wellbeing and reduce health inequalities. Parents who participated reported higher levels of mental wellbeing and improved relationships with their children.
A family medicine practice in upstate New York revised its patient dismissal process, shifting from expedited dismissals to a structured review process that prioritizes patient engagement and collaborative planning. This redesign led to a significant decline in behavior-concern referrals and eliminated racial disproportionality.
The 'leaky pipeline' metaphor oversimplifies the systemic barriers faced by women and marginalized scholars in archaeology. New research highlights multiple forms of inequity that diminish productivity, limit collaborations, and reduce future generations of archaeologists.
A new study reveals that socioeconomic factors and renewable energy adoption significantly influence the risk of mortality related to air pollution in Europe. Regions with lower GDP per capita and poverty rates, particularly in Southern and Eastern Europe, experienced a higher risk of mortality associated with air pollution.
A study by UC3M found that children from privileged families show greater cognitive effort, but incentivizing rewards can narrow the gap. Classroom incentives can help reduce socioeconomic inequalities by valuing individual progress and rewarding social recognition.
A new framework, 'just-shoring,' aims to shift focus from competition and security to the rights and interests of local communities whose lands are most at risk. The approach prioritizes accountability and transparency, giving communities a legal right to co-govern throughout the mineral lifecycle.
Multicultural intergroup dialogue improves holistic support for international students at Japanese universities. The approach, based on Intergroup Dialogue, promotes equitable and inclusive university environments, where students from diverse backgrounds interact and learn with one another.
A new approach for welfare states updates policies to prioritize social investments and effectiveness, combining theoretical contributions and comparative studies. The approach aims to generate long-term benefits for individuals and society, with a focus on targeted solutions and systematic monitoring.
A new study found racial and ethnic disparities in fatal police shootings vary widely between states, with some states having much wider disparities than others. Firearm ownership rates did not explain the disparities, suggesting other factors may be at play.
A study published in PLOS found that LGB+ workers in the NHS do not experience pay gaps compared to their heterosexual colleagues. However, those who have disclosed their sexual identity tend to receive higher pay, while those who have not disclosed are at risk of a pay penalty.
A study found that international guidelines for preterm delivery are often not followed, leading to varying levels of exposure to life-saving medications. In high-income countries, there were significant discrepancies in the use of these treatments.
A new analysis across 45 years suggests that the disparity in firearm homicide deaths between Black and White Americans has grown, with many thousands of Black lives lost. The study found that Black males faced an eight to nine times higher likelihood of firearm homicide death than White males from 1988 to 2010.
A new study by Radboud University and the University of Groningen found that PhD graduates, particularly women, experience a persistent pay gap outside academia. Women earn an average of 171 euros less per month immediately after obtaining their doctorate, with this disparity increasing over time.
A new study by RMIT University found that protections in place in Europe can help phase out harmful electricity disconnections without destabilizing power markets. The research highlights the need for evidence-led action to extend disconnection prohibitions and strengthen safeguards for vulnerable consumers.
A growing trend in Holocaust commemoration worldwide is the establishment of museums and exhibitions honoring the Righteous Among the Nations, heroes who risked their lives to save Jews from extermination. These initiatives aim to preserve Jewish heritage, commemorate the memory of the Holocaust, and combat racism and antisemitism.
Residential wood burning accounts for over one-fifth of wintertime exposure to outdoor fine particulate matter, linked to increased risks of heart disease and premature death. By reducing indoor wood burning, Americans could decrease outdoor air pollution and save thousands of lives.
The study emphasizes the importance of reorganizing work to support prevention rather than perpetual recovery, particularly in the face of climate change and technological disruption. It also highlights the need for gender equity in technology design and governance to prevent job displacement and undervaluation of women's work.
A large Australian survey reveals that LGBTQ+ adults are twice as likely to be unemployed or report workforce non-participation. The study highlights the need for targeted support and policies to address these disparities.
Shadrack Byfield's autobiography offers insight into the suffering and resilience of Britain's homecoming soldiers. The new evidence shows Byfield's tenacious pursuit of veterans' benefits, struggles with pain, poverty, and police, and his determination to design a custom prosthesis after losing his arm.
A study by Binghamton University reveals that most renters in the US are unable to access energy efficiency improvements, leading to higher heating costs and poorer health. The 'split incentive' issue, where landlords prioritize profits over upgrades, is a major barrier to change.
A University of Cambridge-led study reveals that more than two years of war in Gaza has left Palestinian children too weak to learn or play, with some living on as little as a bowl of lentils a day. The report warns of a 'lost' generation emerging in Gaza due to the war's educational, physical and psychological impacts.
A new study found that considering factors jointly can capture a more accurate representation of disparities in residential greenspace exposure, driven by structural racism. Exposure to trees and grass provides numerous benefits to physical and mental health, but inequities persist due to disinvestment in marginalized communities.
A study published in The BMJ found a 25% decline in diversity language in NIH grants from January 2024 to June 2025. Researchers analyzed 17,701 grants and found that words related to diversity, equity, and politics were deleted at a 10-fold higher rate in 2025.
Next Steps: Rebuilding Indigenous Law is a new research initiative that empowers Indigenous communities to renew and rebuild their own legal systems. The project, supported by a $10 million investment, aims to rebuild entire Indigenous legal orders and revitalize traditional legal traditions.
A new study visualizes three decades of income inequality data, revealing worsening trends for half the world's population but also 'bright spots' where policy is closing the gap. Regional efforts in countries like India, China, and Brazil show promise in addressing disparities.
Researchers found that complexity can lead to bias in AI models, highlighting the need for better modeling of real-world complexities, input from diverse groups, and ground truths. By addressing these factors, developers can create more accurate and fair AI systems.
A study published in PLOS One reveals that 8 in 10 Irish people identifying as LGBTQI+ have experienced at least one form of identity abuse. Over half have faced multiple forms of abuse within their lifetime. The Being LGBTQI+ in Ireland study highlights the need for improved support and protection for these vulnerable communities.
A study by the University of Kansas found that Kansas City's zero-fare bus policy attracted 17% of respondents who started using bus service, particularly among younger people and white residents. The policy also increased overall bus use, with new users without vehicle access making more trips per week than those with access.
A new study from the Complexity Science Hub finds that belonging to more than one marginalized group can significantly harder forming social connections. The researchers developed a mathematical model and tested it using friendship data from around 40,000 U.S. high school students, revealing how overlapping disadvantages can interact.