Investing $210+ million in scientific research on health inequities and expanding opportunities for underrepresented groups in science and medicine
Author: Disparity Matters
A new study reveals that online microaggressions targeting Black women can have detrimental effects on the health of other Black women who witness them, even when not directly targeted. Researchers found that exposure to these vicarious microaggressions is associated with poorer sleep quality among young Black women. The study, conducted by researchers at North Carolina State University and other institutions, involved 478 Black women aged 18 to 35 in the United States. Participants completed a survey measuring their experiences with race and gender-related microaggressions both in-person and online. Vanessa Volpe, the study’s lead author and an associate professor of psychology at NC…
Disaggregating Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander health data to better cancer within different communities
Launching wellness hubs where residents in underserved communities can receive a variety of health services
Launching programs to increase understanding of social determinants of health
A recent study has unveiled concerning disparities in the treatment of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) among Black and white patients. The research, presented at the 17th AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities, found that Black patients with metastatic TNBC were significantly less likely to receive immunotherapy compared to their white counterparts. Between 2019 and 2021, only 28.1% of Black patients with metastatic TNBC received immunotherapy, compared to 35.5% of white patients. Even after accounting for clinical and socioeconomic factors, Black patients remained 37% less likely to receive this potentially life-saving treatment. Jincong Q. Freeman, MPH, a PhD candidate at…
A recent study presented at the 17th AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities reveals that the Affordable Care Act (ACA) has significantly improved access to guideline-concordant care for colon cancer among traditionally underserved populations in Pennsylvania. The research, conducted by Sriya Kudaravalli and colleagues from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, examined data from the Pennsylvania Cancer Registry between 2010 and 2019. They focused on 3,290 patients aged 26-64 diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer, comparing treatment patterns before and after the ACA’s implementation in 2014. The study found that following the ACA’s introduction, there was a notable…
Health disparities in the United States are increasingly impacting minority physicians and their patients. As the COVID-19 pandemic exposed systemic inequities in healthcare, it became clear that minority groups face significant challenges in accessing critical health services. A recent report highlights how these disparities are not only detrimental to patient outcomes but also distressing for healthcare providers. Many Black and Latino doctors report feeling marginalized within the healthcare system. A substantial number of minority physicians have experienced discrimination, affecting their professional experiences and patient relationships. For instance, studies show that these doctors often encounter challenges in obtaining equitable reimbursement rates compared…
Promoting Maternal Outcomes Matter tour to provide educational workshops, health screenings, and support services to African American women
Addressing high rates of hypertension-related maternal mortality and illness in U.S. Black women