Author: Disparity Matters
A new study has revealed that Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities face the highest risk of ischemic stroke in the United States—far surpassing other racial and ethnic groups. The study, led by Dr. Fadar O. Otite and published in Neurology, analyzed six years of hospital data from Florida, Georgia, Maryland, and New York. The findings are stark: Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders experienced 591 strokes per 100,000 people. That’s more than double the rate for Black individuals (292), over three times the rate for white individuals (180), and nearly six times the rate for Asian individuals (108). Even after…
Black women in the United States are dying during pregnancy and childbirth at alarming rates—two to four times higher than White, Hispanic, or Asian women. A new analysis from the McKinsey Institute for Economic Mobility and the McKinsey Health Institute reports that maternal mortality among Black women reached 50 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2023, and could nearly double by 2040 if current trends persist. Beyond mortality, Black women face disproportionate rates of serious conditions such as preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, and postpartum depression. These health challenges may not always be fatal, but they take a heavy toll. The report…
In response to sweeping federal cuts targeting diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, Latino health leaders have launched the National Hispanic Health Research Institute — the first Latino-led community research hub designed to close glaring gaps in health data.The institute’s creation follows the cancellation of more than 600 NIH health disparities projects under President Donald Trump’s administration. NIH scientists criticized the policy, warning it “undermines the NIH mission, wastes public resources and harms the health of Americans and people across the globe.” Latino communities, already underrepresented in federally funded studies, are expected to be hit especially hard by the loss of…
Mississippi has declared a public health emergency as infant mortality rates soar to levels not seen in over a decade. The crisis is hitting Black families hardest. In 2024, the state recorded 9.7 infant deaths per 1,000 live births—nearly double the national average. But for Black infants, the rate was a staggering 15.2, almost three times the national figure.“Too many Mississippi families are losing their babies before their first birthday,” said Dr. Dan Edney, the state’s top health officer. “We cannot and will not accept these numbers as our reality.”Since 2014, more than 3,500 infants in Mississippi have died before…
Young immigrants protected under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program continue to face severe health inequities, according to a new national report authored by researchers at the University of California, San Diego, in partnership with United We Dream, the National Immigration Law Center, and the Center for American Progress.The 2024 survey of more than 400 DACA recipients revealed that 19 percent were uninsured—over twice the national average for adults. Among those with coverage, 87 percent relied on employer-sponsored insurance, far higher than the general population, highlighting how access is tied closely to employment. More than 90 percent of…
A new study from the University of Virginia reveals that allostatic load—the cumulative “wear and tear” the body experiences from chronic stress—plays a critical role in breast cancer outcomes and may help explain racial and geographic disparities in survival.Allostatic load is measured through biomarkers that track how stress disrupts multiple systems, including cardiovascular, metabolic, kidney, and immune function. When these systems are strained over time, the body becomes less able to recover, leaving individuals more vulnerable to disease.Researchers followed more than 3,000 women with stage I to III breast cancer. Black women had the highest average allostatic load scores, especially…
A new study reveals troubling disparities in mental health treatment among U.S. adolescents, with Black teens significantly less likely to receive care for depression. Researchers found that fewer than half of adolescents diagnosed with a major depressive episode (MDE) in 2022 received any form of treatment, and only 39% saw a specialist.Using data from nearly 12,000 teens in the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, the study showed that 19.2% met the criteria for MDE. Among those, just 25% received prescription medication, and 30.5% accessed school-based services. But the gaps were even wider for marginalized groups.Black adolescents had the…