A new report from the American Cancer Society reveals a stark contrast in breast cancer outcomes across racial lines in the United States. While overall breast cancer mortality has declined by 44% since 1989, saving an estimated 517,900 lives, this progress has largely benefited White women, leaving minority groups behind. The study, published in CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, highlights alarming disparities. Despite having a 10% lower incidence rate, American Indian and Alaska Native women face a 6% higher mortality rate compared to White women. Even more concerning, Black women have a 5% lower incidence but a staggering 38% higher…
Author: Disparity Matters
Addressing disparities in Orlando’s Hispanic growing population by teaching basic Spanish to improve nurse-patient communication and promote cultural health practices
Launching program to increase organ donation and transplantation rates among Hispanics
Providing financial and technical assistance to companies in Minnesota focused on addressing health disparities within their communities
A recent study has shed light on the alarming prevalence of food insecurity among Latino individuals of Mexican ancestry and its significant impact on their cardiometabolic health. Researchers from the University of Arizona have uncovered a troubling connection between food insecurity and poor glycemic control, potentially exacerbating the already high risk of type 2 diabetes in this population. The study, which analyzed data from 1,827 participants, found that a staggering 30.3% of the sample experienced food insecurity. This rate surpasses the national average for Hispanic households, highlighting the acute challenges faced by this community in accessing adequate nutrition. Food insecure participants exhibited…
A new scientific statement from the American Heart Association has shed light on the intricate web of social factors affecting cardiovascular health among Asian Americans. The report, published in the journal Circulation, highlights how immigration status, structural racism, and socioeconomic factors contribute to heart health disparities within this diverse population. Asian Americans, the fastest-growing ethnic group in the U.S., are often underrepresented in medical research. Dr. Nilay S. Shah, chair of the statement writing group, emphasizes that combining different Asian subgroups into a single category can mask clinically relevant health differences. The study points out that factors such as immigration experiences, cultural…
Launching community-driven Initiative to combat diabetes and boost vaccination rates in Baltimore
Joining national study to address cancer disparities in Asian Americans with culturally-tailored interventions to increase cancer screening
Recent studies have uncovered troubling disparities in access to free preventive care mandated by the Affordable Care Act, commonly known as Obamacare. Despite the law’s requirement that most health plans cover preventive services without cost to patients, minority and low-income individuals are more likely to face claim denials and unexpected out-of-pocket expenses. Research published in JAMA Network Open reveals that insurers are more prone to reject claims from Asian, Black, and Hispanic patients, as well as those with lower incomes. The study, which analyzed 2.5 million preventive care claims filed between 2017 and 2020, found that low-income patients were 43%…
A recent report by the United Health Foundation has uncovered significant health disparities among women in Maryland, surpassing national averages in several key areas. The study highlights concerning trends, particularly affecting women of color, those with lower education levels, and those in lower income brackets. One of the most striking findings reveals that Maryland women with less than a high school education are eight times more likely to be uninsured compared to their college-educated counterparts. This disparity exceeds the national average, where the gap is about six times. The state’s infant mortality rate also raises red flags. At 5.9 deaths per 1,000…