The United States has the highest maternal mortality rate among high-income countries, despite improvements since the pandemic, a new report from the Commonwealth Fund reveals. In 2022, the U.S. recorded 22.3 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births, a staggering 395 percent higher than the median rate of 4.5 deaths per 100,000 in other wealthy nations. The report highlights significant racial disparities, with Black women experiencing a mortality rate of 49.5 deaths per 100,000 births, 160 percent higher than the rate for white women. The authors suggest that around 80 percent of these deaths are preventable through societal and institutional changes,…
Author: Disparity Matters
A recent medical milestone has sparked optimism in the fight against kidney disease disparities affecting Black Americans. The successful transplantation of a genetically modified pig kidney into a 62-year-old Black man in Massachusetts marks a significant step forward in addressing the organ shortage crisis that disproportionately impacts the Black community.Black Americans face a stark reality when it comes to kidney health. They are nearly four times more likely to suffer from kidney disease compared to their white counterparts and represent over 35% of dialysis patients despite comprising only 14% of the U.S. population. This disparity has long been exacerbated by…
A new study has found significant racial disparities in the availability of pharmacies across the United States, with predominantly Black and Hispanic neighborhoods facing a shortage of pharmacies compared to predominantly white areas. The research, led by Dr. Dima Qato from the University of Southern California, analyzed data from 2007 to 2015 and revealed that pharmacies are more likely to close in non-white neighborhoods, exacerbating existing health disparities. The study highlights the underrepresentation of pharmacies in communities of color, which can lead to reduced access to essential medications and healthcare services. This lack of access not only affects the availability…
A new study has found that Black and Hispanic Americans are twice as likely as white Americans to lose Medicaid coverage following the end of the COVID-19 public health emergency. The analysis, conducted by the Urban Institute, highlights the disproportionate impact on communities of color as states begin to unwind the expanded Medicaid eligibility put in place during the pandemic. According to the report, an estimated 15 million people could lose Medicaid coverage once the emergency declaration expires. However, the risk is significantly higher for Black and Hispanic individuals, with 12.3% and 13.5% projected to lose coverage, respectively, compared to…
The United States has the highest maternal mortality rate of any high-income country, according to a new analysis by the Commonwealth Fund. Despite a decline since the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. rate remains far higher than peer nations like the U.K., France, and Canada. Black women in the U.S. face a disproportionately high risk of dying from pregnancy-related causes compared to white women. Over 80% of maternal deaths are considered preventable. In contrast, several wealthy countries have virtually eliminated maternal mortality through robust policies and support systems for women during and after pregnancy. These include universal health care, access to…
New research suggests that living in high-crime areas may increase the aggressiveness of lung cancer in Black men, potentially explaining part of the racial disparity seen in lung cancer outcomes. The study, presented at ENDO 2024, found that exposure to neighborhood violence appears to alter how stress hormones interact with lung tumors. Researchers from the University of Ilinois examined lung tissue samples from 15 patients in Chicago, along with data on violent crime rates in their neighborhoods. They discovered that patients from high-violence areas had tumors with increased expression of genes linked to stress hormone signaling and tumor aggressiveness. “This research uncovers…
Black patients who had strokes waited significantly longer for treatment compared to white patients, a new study finds. Researchers at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston analyzed data from over 1,200 stroke patients and found that Black patients had an average delay of 62 minutes before receiving treatment, while white patients waited an average of 44 minutes. The study, published in the journal Stroke, highlights racial disparities in stroke care. Dr. Anjail Sharrief, the study’s lead author, says the findings underscore the need to address systemic issues contributing to these delays. Strokes, which occur when blood flow…
At least 122 Catholic clergy members sexually abused over 1,000 Native American children at 22 boarding schools since the late 1800s, according to a Washington Post investigation. The abuse, which primarily occurred in the 1950s and 1960s, took place at institutions established under the Civilization Fund Act of 1819 to assimilate Native American children into White society. The investigation, led by the first Native American Cabinet secretary, Deb Haaland, involved interviews with more than two dozen survivors, attendance at “The Road to Healing” events, and the review of thousands of pages of court documents, depositions, lawsuits, and correspondence. The findings…
Medical misdiagnosis represents a serious crisis affecting millions of Americans annually, with approximately 12 million adults receiving incorrect diagnoses each year. About one in six of these errors result in significant harm to patients, creating devastating consequences throughout the healthcare system.Women and racial minorities face disproportionate risks, experiencing misdiagnosis rates 20% to 30% higher than white men. This disparity persists even when patients have access to the same hospitals and healthcare facilities, indicating systemic problems beyond insurance coverage and hospital quality.Multiple factors contribute to these racial disparities. Doctors demonstrate greater confidence when diagnosing white men compared to women or people…
An artificial intelligence (AI) patient navigator called MyEleanor is helping reduce disparities in colon cancer screening by re-engaging underserved patients who have missed or cancelled colonoscopy appointments, according to a study presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting. The research, led by Dr. Alyson Moadel of Montefiore cancer center in the Bronx, New York, analyzed 2,400 patients, many of whom were people of color, low-income, and born outside the United States. These communities often face barriers to screening and treatment, leading to later-stage diagnoses and worse outcomes. MyEleanor, which communicates with patients in both English and Spanish,…