New research challenges the “model minority” stereotype often applied to Asian Americans, revealing significant health disparities within this diverse group. A study by the Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum (APIAHF) highlights how aggregated data can mask serious health issues faced by specific Asian American subgroups. The research shows that certain Asian American communities, including Vietnamese, Japanese, and Korean Americans, experience worse health outcomes compared to their white counterparts. These findings emphasize the importance of disaggregating data to understand the nuanced health challenges within the Asian American population. By lumping all Asian Americans together in health statistics, crucial differences between subgroups…
Author: Disparity Matters
In a troubling turn of events, researchers and institutions dedicated to addressing racial health disparities are facing increasing opposition. The anti-DEI movement has created a climate of fear, targeting scholars who study the impact of racism on health outcomes. David R. Williams and Rachel Hardeman, prominent population health researchers, have been added to a right-wing “watch list” for their work on racism and health. This backlash comes just four years after the nation’s “racial reckoning” following George Floyd’s murder. The consequences of this pushback are becoming evident. Some grant-making organizations are now asking researchers to avoid using the word “racism” in their…
A recent study published in Blood Cancer Journal has uncovered significant disparities in the initiation of oral antimyeloma medications, with Black patients and older individuals facing longer delays in treatment. The research, conducted at Cleveland Clinic’s Taussig Cancer Center, sheds light on the persistent racial and age-related inequalities in multiple myeloma care. The study analyzed data from 543 patients diagnosed with symptomatic multiple myeloma between 2017 and 2021. Researchers found that by 30 days after initial diagnosis, only 28% of Black patients had filled a prescription for oral antimyeloma medication, compared to 43% of White patients. This disparity persisted even after…
In the realm of healthcare, understanding medical terminology and diagnoses can be daunting for anyone. For non-English speakers, particularly within the Hispanic community, these challenges are significantly amplified. Healthcare providers are increasingly recognizing the critical importance of breaking down language barriers to ensure effective and equitable care. Dr. Deborah Smith, Assistant Professor of Public Health at LSUHS School of Allied Health Professions, emphasizes the crucial role of language in healthcare. “When we don’t understand the patient’s language, that can cause misunderstanding of diagnosis and treatment,” she explains. This language gap not only affects medical comprehension but also impacts the patient-provider relationship,…
A recent study published in JAMA Network Open reveals alarming racial and ethnic disparities in excess deaths during the COVID-19 pandemic, with younger minority populations bearing the brunt of the impact. The cross-sectional analysis, led by Dr. Jeremy Faust of Mass General Brigham, uncovered a troubling trend in mortality rates among working-age adults. The research team found that individuals aged 25 to 64 experienced the most significant increases in observed-to-expected all-cause mortality ratios. American Indian/Alaska Native, Hispanic, and Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander groups were hit hardest, with ratios of 1.45, 1.40, and 1.39, respectively. Dr. Utibe Essien, a co-author from UCLA, emphasized…
A startling increase in HIV infections among Latinos in the United States has raised alarm bells among health experts. While overall HIV infection rates have declined nationally, new data reveals a troubling 12% rise in infections among Latino people from 2010 to 2022, according to a perspective piece published in the New England Journal of Medicine. Dr. Vincent Guilamo-Ramos and colleagues from the Institute for Policy Solutions at Johns Hopkins School of Nursing report that Latinos now account for one in three new HIV infections, up from one in four in 2010. This surge stands in stark contrast to the 29%…
Considering medical school applicants’ commitment to serving Washington’s marginalized populations
Strengthening its Maternal Mortality Review Committee to address factors contributing to maternal deaths
Partnering with national organizations and local affiliates to target nutrition, physical activity, and tobacco control in underserved populations
Seeking to reverse Black maternal healthcare disparities by improving healthcare infrastructure in underserved areas