“The US preterm birth rate remains historically high at 10.4% with significant disparities among racial and ethnic groups…In 2023, the rate of inadequate prenatal care rose to 15.7%, the highest in a decade, with even higher rates among Black and American Indian/Alaska Native communities.”
Author: Disparity Matters
A recent study highlights significant racial and ethnic disparities in how adults with cardiovascular disease (CVD) perceive their health status. Analyzing data from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (2014–2021), researchers found that non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic adults reported poorer health compared to their non-Hispanic White counterparts. Specifically, non-Hispanic Black adults had 1.89 times higher odds, and Hispanic adults had 2.05 times higher odds, of perceiving their health as poorer than non-Hispanic White adults. The study also examined factors influencing these perceptions. While female sex, higher education, and better income were associated with more favorable health perceptions across all racial and…
Recent analyses reveal that homicide has become the leading cause of death among pregnant and postpartum women in the United States, surpassing traditional obstetric causes such as hemorrhage, hypertension, and sepsis. This alarming trend underscores significant health disparities, particularly affecting minority communities. Data indicates that Black women are disproportionately impacted, with a maternal homicide rate nearly three times higher than that of white women. This disparity highlights systemic issues, including socioeconomic factors and limited access to healthcare resources, which contribute to increased vulnerability. The majority of these homicides are linked to intimate partner violence (IPV), emphasizing the critical need for…
A recent study from Penn State College of Medicine reveals that non-white patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy—a surgical procedure to remove plaque from the carotid artery—face a mortality rate twice that of white patients within 30 days post-surgery. This finding underscores enduring racial disparities in medical outcomes, despite advancements in research and clinical practice. The research team conducted a meta-analysis of studies spanning 25 years, encompassing data from over half a million patients. They observed that non-white patients consistently exhibited higher mortality rates following the procedure, a trend that has remained unchanged over time. Lead author Ahsan Zil-E-Ali expressed surprise at…
Recent findings underscore significant health disparities in melanoma risk among different racial and ethnic groups in the United States. A study published in JAMA Dermatology reveals that individuals diagnosed with melanoma—regardless of their racial or ethnic background—face a heightened risk of developing a second primary melanoma. This risk is particularly alarming among Black patients, who exhibit the highest relative risk compared to other groups, challenging the narrative that melanoma is predominantly a concern for white patients.Despite melanoma being less common in minority populations, the study found that the subsequent incidence of second melanomas rates in these groups can be comparable…
Life expectancy for American Indians and Alaska Natives has dropped to levels not seen in decades, alarming public health experts. Between 2019 and 2021, their life expectancy fell from 72 years to 68 years — a number that mirrors the overall U.S. population in the 1940s.The decline reflects a convergence of health crises. Native communities have the highest prevalence of type 2 diabetes of any racial group, along with twice the death rate from end-stage kidney disease compared with white Americans. They also face higher rates of heart disease, cancers, substance use, and suicide. From 2019 to 2020, drug overdose…
A recent study led by Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) reveals that over 40% of U.S. adults suffer from fatty liver disease, with Hispanic populations experiencing a significantly higher risk. The research, published in Nature Communications Medicine, underscores the urgent need for early screening and targeted health interventions, particularly for high-risk groups. Dr. Juan Pablo Arab, the study’s corresponding author and a hepatologist at VCU’s Stravitz-Sanyal Institute for Liver Disease and Metabolic Health, emphasized the widespread impact of liver disease. “This study highlights a significant health issue that affects a large portion of the U.S. population, and it shows that certain…
The prevalence of diabetes in the United States has reached alarming levels, with nearly one in six adults now living with the condition. According to recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the proportion of American adults with diabetes has surged from 9.7% in 1999-2000 to a staggering 15.8% between 2021 and 2023. This dramatic increase in diabetes rates is not affecting all communities equally. Black adults are disproportionately impacted, with a 60% higher likelihood of being diagnosed with diabetes compared to their white counterparts, as reported by the Department of Health and Human Services in 2018.…
A recent study led by researchers at Emory University School of Medicine and Indiana University has uncovered significant rates of undiagnosed cognitive impairments among older adults in underserved communities. The study, published in JAMA Network Open, found that 75% of participants had unrecognized cognitive issues, with 62% experiencing mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and 12.3% diagnosed with dementia.The research also revealed notable racial disparities: African American patients were more than twice as likely as white patients to have undiagnosed cognitive impairments. These findings highlight critical gaps in early detection and care within marginalized populations.Federally qualified health centers (FQHCs), which primarily serve…
Disparities in cardiovascular health among women of different racial and ethnic backgrounds can often be traced back to socioeconomic factors established during early pregnancy. A recent study reveals that the socioeconomic status of first-time mothers significantly impacts their heart health up to seven years after giving birth. The research, involving over 4,000 pregnant individuals, highlights how education, income, insurance coverage, and health literacy consistently contribute to these disparities. Findings indicate that while Black mothers have lower cardiovascular health scores compared to their white counterparts, adjusting for socioeconomic variables can dramatically close this gap. In fact, when socioeconomic factors of Black…