A new heart disease risk calculator developed by the American Heart Association (AHA) aims to reduce health disparities by excluding race as a factor in its equations. The PREVENT™ risk calculator estimates the 10- and 30-year risk of total cardiovascular disease for individuals aged 30 and older, focusing on cardiovascular, kidney, and metabolic health measures. By acknowledging race as a social factor rather than a biological one, the AHA hopes to create a more equitable tool for predicting heart disease risk. The PREVENT™ calculator is designed to be sex-specific and race-free, incorporating an index of social determinants of health to provide…
Author: Disparity Matters
Health disparities in cancer outcomes reveal startling trends, particularly among Black Americans who experience higher rates of aggressive cancers and mortality. Research has started to pivot away from genetic explanations toward the environmental challenges faced by these communities. A recent study highlights how social determinants, such as exposure to pollutants, play a significant role in escalating the risk of more aggressive cancer forms among Black individuals. Three cohorts comprising over 23,000 cancer patients revealed that Black patients exhibited a significantly higher prevalence of whole genome duplications—ranging from 11% to 35% more than white patients. These genomic alterations can enhance tumor adaptability,…
A new report from the American Cancer Society reveals a significant decline in breast cancer death rates over the past three decades, yet stark racial disparities persist. Since 1989, breast cancer mortality has decreased by 44%, averting an estimated 519,000 deaths. However, this progress is overshadowed by the continued disproportionate impact on Black women. Despite a 5% lower incidence of breast cancer, Black women face a 38% higher mortality rate compared to white women. This disparity is attributed to later diagnoses and limited access to high-quality treatment. Dr. William Dahut, chief scientific officer at the American Cancer Society, emphasizes the urgent…
Heart transplant patients from socioeconomically disadvantaged neighborhoods face a higher risk of complications and earlier death, even when receiving care at top-tier hospitals, according to a new UCLA study. The research, published in the Journal of Heart and Lung Transplantation, reveals that neighborhood deprivation significantly impacts post-transplant survival rates. Examining data from over 38,000 heart transplant recipients, researchers found that patients from the most deprived areas had a 14% higher risk of dying within three years and a 13% higher chance within five years post-transplant. These patients also faced an increased risk of organ failure. Lead author Sara Sakowitz, a medical student…
A recent study published in JAMA Network Open reveals an alarming increase in preterm births over the past decade, with racial and socioeconomic disparities persisting. The analysis of over five million births indicates that preterm births have risen by over 10%. Factors such as the increased prevalence of diabetes, sexually transmitted infections, and mental health conditions are contributing to this trend. Lead author Laura Jelliffe-Pawlowski, an epidemiologist at NYU Rory Meyers College of Nursing, noted that these risk factors have become more common. Protective factors that previously helped reduce preterm births have declined, worsening the situation. The study emphasizes the need…
Providing crucial health care screening services to those struggling to access quality care in Washington DC
A new analysis warns that endometrial (uterine) cancer is on track to become an even more deadly example of cancer inequity in the United States, with Black women projected to bear a disproportionate share of the burden. While incidence and mortality for many cancers have fallen in recent years, uterine cancer stands out as one of the few malignancies where both are rising.Researchers used the Columbia University Uterine Cancer Model to project trends through 2050 and found that incidence-based mortality could be nearly three times higher in Black women than in white women by midcentury. Current data already show that…
A recent study has revealed a concerning connection between past discriminatory housing practices and current health disparities in the United States. Researchers have discovered that historical redlining, a discriminatory practice that denied financial services to residents in economically disadvantaged areas, is associated with higher rates of diabetes among racial and ethnic minority populations. The study, published in Diabetes Care, analyzed data from over 11,000 U.S. census tracts, uncovering an average diabetes prevalence of 11.8%. More importantly, the research demonstrated that areas historically subjected to redlining show both direct and indirect links to increased diabetes rates through various social factors. Redlining, which involved…
Organ donation has emerged as a critical issue for the Black community, as health disparities continue to disproportionately affect African Americans. Despite comprising only 13% of the U.S. population, Black Americans represent about 30% of those on the national waiting list for kidney transplants, highlighting a stark imbalance in organ availability and need.The demand for organ transplants in the Black community is exacerbated by higher rates of conditions like hypertension, diabetes, and heart disease. These health issues often lead to a greater need for kidney, heart, and liver transplants. However, the supply of organs remains tragically low, resulting in longer…
Partnering with One Stop Cancer Shop to provide free cancer screenings to communities at higher risk of cancer-related deaths in Omaha