A recent study by researchers Bernard, López, Banks, Hahn, and Danielson sheds light on the impact of racial discrimination on mental health outcomes among Black youth. The study, published in the American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, reveals that rumination—internalizing negative feelings as a coping strategy—plays a crucial role.The likelihood of Black children experiencing racial discrimination increases as they age and interact with their communities, schools, and online spaces. Approximately 90% of Black youth report discriminatory experiences each year, which heightens their vulnerability to depression and anxiety.The research team analyzed data from 158 youth participating in the Charleston Resiliency Monitoring study. These…
Author: Disparity Matters
A new study led by researchers at the American Cancer Society (ACS) reveals increased disparities in survival based on health insurance status among individuals newly diagnosed with advanced cancers in the United States following the introduction of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). These ICIs, first approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2011, have significantly improved survival rates for cancer patients but come with a high cost. Unfortunately, individuals without health insurance coverage may struggle to afford these life-saving treatments. Dr. Jingxuan Zhao, senior associate scientist in health services research at the American Cancer Society, emphasized the need…
Public health agencies are partnering with transportation departments to tackle health inequities stemming from lack of access to medical care, according to a new report from the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO). The report highlights how four states are using cross-sector collaborations and flexible funding strategies to improve transportation options for underserved communities. In Oregon, a decade-long memorandum of understanding between health and transportation agencies has led to the inclusion of health goals in statewide transportation plans. Vermont has launched pilot programs offering rides to substance abuse treatment and employment opportunities. Arizona created a centralized system to…
Filipino Americans have significantly higher rates of diabetes compared to other Asian American subgroups and white adults, according to recent studies. Researchers found that data disaggregation revealed hidden health disparities in every participating Asian American ethnic group. The elevated diabetes prevalence among Filipino Americans is attributed to the effects of Western colonization and imperialism on indigenous Filipino food systems, according to Raquel Fernandez, a registered nurse and diabetes educator. The introduction of pork and other dietary changes during Spanish colonization played a significant role. Fernandez, who grew up viewing diabetes as commonplace in her community, likened it to the flu…
Vietnamese Americans experience liver cancer rates eight to nine times higher than other Asian American subgroups and non-Hispanic whites, according to a recent study. The findings, spanning 1988 to 2011, also revealed Vietnamese Americans have the highest liver cancer mortality rate. Dr. Alka Kanaya, a researcher at the University of California, San Francisco, noted the inadequacy of aggregated Asian American health data, which can mask disparities. “Part of my interest is in seeing the high rates of diabetes and heart disease in my own family and Asian Indian background but also recognizing that there’s a real inadequacy of data in…
More than 7 million women of childbearing age live in maternal health care deserts across the U.S., with Mississippi having the highest percentage of residents impacted at 23.5%, according to an analysis by the March of Dimes. The report found that 2.2 million women live in maternity care deserts, counties with no obstetric hospitals or birth centers and no obstetric providers. An additional 4.8 million live in counties with limited access to maternity care. Racial disparities persist, with American Indian/Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander populations being disproportionately represented in maternal care deserts. Rural counties make up the vast majority…
Black children, especially those from low-income families, are experiencing earlier onset of menstruation and more irregular cycles compared to other racial and ethnic groups, according to a new study from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health’s Apple Women’s Health Study. The study, which included over 71,000 participants born between 1950 and 2005, found that while all groups are experiencing their first period at increasingly younger ages, this trend is most pronounced among Black, Asian, and other nonwhite ethnicities, as well as those of lower socioeconomic status. Lead author Zifan Wang, a postdoctoral research fellow, noted that early menarche…
African Americans are disproportionately affected by sarcoidosis, yet significantly underrepresented in clinical trials for potential treatments, according to a new report by the Foundation for Sarcoidosis Research (FSR). Bernie Mac (above) died from sarcoidosis in 2008. The analysis, conducted in partnership with Acclinate, a healthcare technology company focused on diversifying clinical trials, found that out of 3,085 sarcoidosis patients across 35 clinical trials, only 17% were African American, despite the group making up over 30% of the total patient population. Sarcoidosis, a rare inflammatory disease that causes lumps of cells to form in various organs, impacts an estimated 150,000 to…
Racial and ethnic segregation remains a critical social determinant of health, significantly impacting breast cancer outcomes in the United States. A recent study highlights how residential segregation, both economic and residential, contributes to the prevalence of disparities in breast cancer stage at presentation among minority communities. These differences are alarming, showing how systemic factors create unequal access to early detection and healthcare resources.In particular, the article underscores that individuals living in segregated neighborhoods experience increased mortality rates due to late-stage diagnosis of breast cancer. The barriers to access stem not only from socioeconomic status but also from the limited availability…
Recent research reveals that early life experiences significantly influence cognitive outcomes, particularly among Black and white Americans over 50. A cross-sectional study led by Xi Chen, PhD, from the Yale School of Public Health, found notable disparities in cognitive scores: Black participants averaged 13.5 points, compared to 15.8 points for white participants. Furthermore, the prevalence of cognitive impairment was markedly higher among Black participants at 33.6%, against 16.4% for white participants. The study highlighted that early life circumstances, especially related to education, accounted for 61.5% of racial disparities in cognitive scores and 82.3% in cognitive impairment. Notably, school racial segregation prior to…