Collaborating with local communities to address social determinants of health, such as access to healthcare, education, and economic stability
Author: Disparity Matters
Philadelphia has seen a significant improvement in overall health and mortality rates since the pandemic, according to recent statistics released by the city’s Department of Public Health. Life expectancy for Philadelphians has rebounded to 76 years, returning to pre-pandemic levels after dropping to 73 years during the height of the COVID-19 crisis. Dr. Megan Todd, the Health Department’s chief epidemiologist, noted that COVID-19, which was the third-leading cause of death in 2020 and 2021, has now fallen out of the top 10 causes of death in the city. This shift indicates a positive trend in the city’s public health landscape. However, despite…
Developing advanced analytics tools to predict health risks and outcomes based on social determinants to address potential health issues
Encouraging Black prostate cancer survivors and patients to share their personal journeys on social media platforms to dispel myths and reduce stigma
Launching research hub to support community-led research to reverse health inequities in access to food, health care, and other essential needs
Studying why certain U.S. regions experience higher rates of strokes and dementia and why Blacks are more likely affected by strokes
Addressing critical reproductive health care disparities within Iowa’s Hispanic community.
A new Deloitte analysis reveals that addressing health inequities could add a staggering $2.8 trillion to the U.S. economy by 2040. This potential windfall underscores the urgent need for systemic changes to reduce disparities that disproportionately affect marginalized populations, particularly people of color, low-income individuals, and those living in rural areas. The study highlights the significant economic burden of health disparities, which currently cost the U.S. economy approximately $320 billion annually. If left unaddressed, this figure could skyrocket to $1 trillion by 2040. These costs stem from various factors, including higher rates of chronic conditions, reduced workforce participation, and increased healthcare…
Recent research sheds light on the troubling racial disparities in Alzheimer’s disease prevalence among African Americans, particularly Black women, who suffer from dementia at nearly double the rate of their white counterparts. A study published in the Journals of Gerontology suggests that environmental pollution, specifically fine particulate matter known as PM2.5, plays a significant role in exacerbating these disparities. According to Jiu-Chiuan Chen, MD, ScD, a professor at the Keck School of Medicine, older individuals living in areas with higher PM2.5 exposure may be more likely to develop dementia. This issue is particularly acute for African American communities, which are often…
A recent study has uncovered significant racial disparities in genetic testing for children with neurological disorders in the United States. The research, published in the journal Neurology, sheds