Providing comprehensive prenatal care, education, and support services tailored to the needs of minority women throughout pregnancy
Author: Disparity Matters
A new study by Cleveland Clinic researchers has uncovered significant disparities in colorectal cancer screening rates among Hispanic and Latino communities in the United States. This finding is particularly concerning as colorectal cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer death in these populations. Dr. Blake Buchalter, who led the research team, emphasized the public health importance of this issue. “Colorectal cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer death among Hispanic or Latino populations, and so it is an extremely important public health problem,” he explained. The researchers developed an interactive map to identify areas with the lowest colorectal…
Increasing number of Black individuals serving on medical boards, which shape healthcare policies and practices
The stark reality of organ donation disparities in the United States continues to heavily burden the Black community, according to Dr. Christopher Brown, a clinical nephrologist and board member of Lifeline of Ohio. Despite comprising a smaller percentage of the population, African Americans face a significantly higher need for organ transplants and endure longer wait times than other ethnic groups.Across the nation, over 100,000 individuals are currently on transplant waiting lists, with nearly 3,000 in Ohio alone. The situation is particularly dire for Black patients, who typically wait an average of a year longer to receive an organ. This disparity…
Increasing participation of underrepresented groups in clinical trials
Investigating underlying causes of maternal and infant health disparities in Flint
A new study reveals that Black and Latino family doctors play a crucial role in providing healthcare for marginalized communities, potentially helping to reduce health disparities in the United States. The research, published in the Annals of Family Medicine, found that these physicians are more likely to accept Medicaid patients and practice in underserved areas compared to their white or Asian counterparts. Lead investigator Anushree Vichare from George Washington University’s Milken Institute School of Public Health emphasized the significance of this finding. “Our research suggests Black and Latino family medicine doctors play a crucial role in providing health care for people…
Despite overall improvements in air quality, Black and Hispanic residents in California continue to face disproportionately high levels of vehicle-related air pollution, according to a recent study published in Science Advances. The research reveals that while the state has successfully reduced air pollution by 65% over the past 25 years, significant racial disparities in exposure remain unchanged. The study found that low-income communities, predominantly inhabited by Black and Latino residents, experience the worst air quality due to their proximity to highways and ports. This persistent inequality is attributed to historical racist housing policies such as redlining, which have perpetuated the concentration…
Diagnosing rosacea in patients of color presents unique challenges, according to Dr. Hilary Baldwin, who spoke at the Skin of Color Update in New York City. Baldwin, the medical director of Atlantic Health’s Acne Treatment & Research Center, emphasized that rosacea is not limited to women of Northern European descent, as commonly believed. She highlighted that rosacea affects about 10% of the US population, including men and people of color. Baldwin pointed out that erythema, or redness of the skin, is harder to detect in patients with darker skin tones, which may lead to underdiagnosis. She noted that dermatologists should look…
A recent study has shed light on potential strategies to address health disparities among Hispanic/Latino populations in the United States, particularly those of Mexican descent. The research, conducted in Southern Arizona, focused on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), a condition disproportionately affecting this ethnic group and a known risk factor for liver cancer. The study involved 280 overweight or obese Hispanic/Latino adults of Mexican descent, examining the relationship between adherence to a traditional Mexican diet and the risk of hepatic steatosis and fibrosis. These conditions represent different stages of liver damage associated with NAFLD. Researchers found that U.S.-born participants who followed a…