Many new genetic-based immunological drugs rely on a genetic element prevalent in white populations but not in others, potentially worsening racial health disparities, a leading expert warned at the White House Minority Health Forum. Dr. Carmen Guerra (above), Vice Chair of Diversity and Inclusion at the University of Pennsylvania’s Perelman School of Medicine, highlighted this issue during a panel on research innovation for health equity. She noted that about 80% of therapies currently being studied are specific to an HLA allele common in Anglo populations but not representative of other global populations. “This is going to get worse because about…
Author: Disparity Matters
Targeting three main causes of premature death among city residents
A recent study has shed light on the complex relationship between food insecurity, type 2 diabetes, and neighborhood cohesion among Latino adults in the United States. Researchers analyzed data from over 23,000 Latino adults who participated in the National Health Interview Survey between 2013 and 2018. The findings, published in the Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities, reveal a stark connection between food insecurity and diabetes risk. Latinos experiencing low food security were found to have 1.84 times higher odds of developing type 2 diabetes compared to their food-secure counterparts. This risk increased to 2.0 times for those facing…
Creating database to boost diverse medical research
A new analysis reveals that nearly half of U.S. counties lack a practicing cardiologist, highlighting a significant health crisis impacting millions. Of the 3,143 counties examined, 1,454—accounting for 22 million residents—are without cardiologists, disproportionately affecting rural areas with higher rates of cardiovascular diseases and death. Dr. Haider J. Warraich, a senior author of the study, stated, “This is a crisis that didn’t start yesterday,” underscoring the long-standing nature of these disparities. Counties without cardiologists exhibit a 31% higher cardiovascular risk index and lower life expectancies compared to their counterparts with cardiologists. Residents in these areas face more significant challenges, including greater…
A recent study has revealed a troubling trend in suicide rates among Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) youth, underscoring a growing mental health crisis in this rapidly expanding demographic. According to research published in JAMA Network Open, suicide has become the leading cause of death for AAPI youth aged 10 to 19 years. The study, analyzing data from 1999 to 2021, found a significant increase in suicide rates among AAPI youth. Male suicide rates rose by 72%, reaching 6.49 per 100,000 in 2021, while female rates surged by 125%, reaching 3.72 per 100,000. These alarming statistics highlight the urgent need…
Black patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC) continue to face worse survival outcomes compared to other racial groups, according to a new study presented at the 2024 ASCO Genitourinary Cancers Symposium. The research, which analyzed real-world data from the Flatiron database, found that Black patients had shorter overall survival, although the difference was not statistically significant. The study revealed that Black patients comprised only 5.7% of the database population, highlighting their underrepresentation in real-world cancer data. Asian patients, making up just 1.7% of the database, showed the best survival outcomes among all racial groups. Dr. Ulka Vaishampayan, a leading expert in…
Detroit residents facing housing instability and poor living conditions are at higher risk of adverse health effects, according to research by University of Michigan experts. The study highlights how the city’s legacy of discriminatory housing practices continues to impact residents’ well-being today. Researchers found that 60% of Detroit renters are cost-burdened, spending over 30% of their income on housing. This financial strain, coupled with substandard living conditions, increases the risk of eviction, homelessness, and both mental and physical health problems. The roots of these issues trace back to redlining, a practice that denied loans and services to predominantly Black neighborhoods.…
Hurricane Beryl, initially a Category 5 storm, has left a trail of destruction predominantly affecting Black communities across the Caribbean and the US Gulf Coast. After making landfall in Houston, Texas as a Category 1 hurricane, Beryl has left more than 2.3 million homes and businesses without power and caused extensive flooding, with some areas receiving up to 10 inches of rain. The storm’s path disproportionately impacted areas with significant Black populations, starting with Grenada on July 1 and cutting across Caribbean nations before reaching the US. In Jamaica, Beryl became the strongest hurricane to ever hit the island, leaving nearly…
Offers free mental health services to Muslim community