The escalating prices of prescription medications are creating a health crisis that disproportionately affects Black Americans, according to a recent report from Patients for Affordable Drugs. This year alone, the costs of 1,000 prescription drugs have increased, with nearly half of these hikes outpacing inflation. The impact is particularly severe for Black and Latino patients aged 65 and older, who report the highest levels of difficulty in accessing their medications. This trend is exacerbating existing health disparities and putting essential treatments out of reach for many. Minority women face some of the most significant challenges. For instance, Enhertu, a drug used to…
Author: Disparity Matters
A new study reveals alarming racial disparities in infant mortality rates due to congenital heart disease (CHD). Presented at the American Academy of Pediatrics 2024 National Conference & Exhibition, the research found that Black infants are 40% more likely to die from CHD than White infants. The study, which analyzed data from over 60 million live births between 2005 and 2019, showed that while overall infant mortality rates for CHD decreased by 25.2%, the gap between Black and White infants remained unchanged. Black infants consistently faced higher mortality rates throughout both the neonatal and post-neonatal periods. Lead author Kwadwo Danso, MBChB, stated,…
A recent study has uncovered significant racial disparities in the use of menopausal hormone therapy (HT) among women in the United States. The research, published in JAMA Health Forum, shows a dramatic 82% decline in HT use from 1999 to 2020, with the sharpest drops observed among minority women. The study, which analyzed data from over 13,000 postmenopausal women, found that HT use fell from 26.9% in 1999 to just 4.7% in 2020 across all age groups. However, the decline was not uniform across racial and ethnic lines. Hispanic women experienced a decline from 13.8% to 2.6%, while Black women saw an…
Studying implementation of the Walk Your Heart to Health program in African Methodist Episcopal (AME) churches
Expanding educational opportunities for Latino and low-income students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields
Chronic kidney disease affects over 37 million Americans, with racial and ethnic minorities bearing a disproportionate burden. Black and Hispanic patients face significantly higher risks of kidney failure compared to their non-Hispanic white counterparts, partly due to delayed specialist referrals. Despite recognizing these disparities in the 1980s, progress has been minimal. The use of race in clinical algorithms, particularly in assessing kidney disease severity, has come under scrutiny. Until recently, two widely adopted equations incorporated a Black or non-Black race variable, potentially propagating racial bias in medical decision-making. In response to these concerns, professional organizations developed a new clinical algorithm…
Despite being one of the fastest-growing populations in the United States, Hispanic communities continue to face severe inequities in health care access and outcomes, according to a report published by PPL First, a company that provides programs and resources to support community health and caregiving.Insurance remains a major barrier. In 2020, 18.3% of Hispanics were uninsured compared to just 5.4% of whites. That gap represents nearly 11 million people without reliable access to medical services. Lack of coverage translates into lower use of preventive care and higher risks of chronic illness. For example, while diabetes occurs at similar rates among…
In a concerning trend, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that about half of Black gay and bisexual men will receive an HIV diagnosis during their lifetime. This stark statistic highlights the persistent health disparities affecting this community, even as effective preventive treatments like PrEP (preexposure prophylaxis) are available. Despite being disproportionately affected by HIV, Black gay and bisexual men have one of the lowest rates of PrEP usage across all age groups. The Southern United States, which has the highest number of people living with HIV, also sees very low PrEP uptake due to factors such as stigma,…
Beginning $82 million research focusing on understanding root causes of chronic disease disparities in the Deep South
Supporting pregnant women and new mothers to combat maternal mortality rates that disproportionately affect Black women in the state