Black Americans continue to face higher rates of colon cancer incidence and mortality compared to their white counterparts, but a new study suggests that improving the quality of cancer screening and follow-up care could significantly narrow this racial disparity. Research published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute reveals that Black Americans are 23% more likely to be diagnosed with colon cancer and 31% more likely to die from the disease than white Americans. While screening rateshave equalized in recent years, disparities in follow-up care and colonoscopy quality persist. Lead author Oguzhan Alagoz, a professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, explains,…
Author: Disparity Matters
A recent study has unveiled alarming gaps in hereditary cancer screening, particularly affecting minority populations. Researchers analyzed the exomes of over 44,000 individuals and discovered that many carried genetic mutations linked to elevated risks for colon, breast, and ovarian cancers that current national guidelines failed to detect.”This study is a wake-up call, showing us that current national guidelines for genetic screenings are missing too many people at high risk of cancer,” said Dr. Niloy Jewel Samadder, lead author and Mayo Clinic gastroenterologist. He emphasized the urgent need for a reassessment of screening protocols, framing the issue in human terms by…
A new study finds that critically injured trauma patients without health insurance face a higher risk of having life-saving care withdrawn sooner compared to insured patients, highlighting stark disparities in U.S. healthcare. Researchers analyzed data from over 300,000 adult trauma patients and found that after adjusting for patient and hospital factors, uninsured individuals had significantly earlier withdrawal of life-sustaining therapy compared to those with Medicaid or private insurance. “Our study suggests that a patient’s ability to pay may be associated with a shift in decision-making for WLST,” said lead researcher Dr. Graeme Hoit of the University of Toronto. The mean…
Launching video series to provide Black birthing people essential tools to advocate for their health
Launching video series to provide Black birthing people essential tools to advocate for their health
A new study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute reveals that addressing racial disparities in colonoscopy follow-up and quality could significantly reduce colorectal cancer (CRC) deaths among Black individuals. The research, led by Dr. Oguzhan Alagoz from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, found that eliminating these disparities could decrease CRC incidence by up to 15%, mortality by 19%, and increase life-years gained by 7% for Black adults. The study highlights that while improving screening rates is important, it’s not enough to close the racial gap in cancer deaths. Dr. Alagoz stated, “To truly close the racial gap in cancer…
A new study reveals that limited access to high-performing Medicare Advantage (MA) plans in vulnerable counties is exacerbating health disparities among racial and ethnic minorities and low-income individuals in the United States and contribute to significant health costs for these populations.Most Medicare beneficiaries, especially those from minority groups, are increasingly turning to Medicare Advantage plans. However, many struggle to find options with high star ratings in their areas. The study found that counties with higher proportions of racial and ethnic minorities and low-income individuals have fewer high-performing MA plans available.”Our findings show that residents of counties that are disadvantaged across…
A new study by Dr. Diane Mahoney of the University of Kansas Medical Center has uncovered significant health disparities affecting Black and Hispanic ovarian cancer survivors. The research, which analyzed data from the NIH All of Us Research Program, found that social determinants of health (SDOH) contribute to poorer health perceptions among these groups. Dr. Mahoney, an assistant professor and nurse practitioner, was inspired to investigate this topic due to the lower survival rates for Black and Hispanic women with ovarian cancer, despite lower incidence compared to white women. Her study examined how factors like neighborhood characteristics, discrimination, food and housing…
Recent research indicates that Black Americans face significantly greater health risks from air pollution than other racial groups. The study reveals that they are more likely to succumb to illnesses related to air pollution exposure. This disparity highlights a critical health inequality that has profound implications for communities of color. These findings correlate with previous understandings that racial residential segregation exacerbates air quality issues. In heavily segregated areas, levels of harmful air pollutants, including fine particulate matter, are often alarmingly high. These zones not only experience an increased quantity of pollution, but the pollution present is more concentrated in toxic substances.…
In a move to address oral health disparities, more states are authorizing dental therapists to provide basic dental care in underserved communities. These mid-level practitioners can perform procedures like filling cavities and extracting diseased teeth under a dentist’s supervision. With about 58 million Americans living in areas with dentist shortages and only a third of dentists accepting Medicaid, dental therapists are seen as a potential solution to improve access to care.The impact is particularly significant for minority and low-income populations. More than half of Medicaid enrollees are Black, Hispanic, and American Indian or Alaska Native, and children of color experience…