A new study by The Nature Conservancy found that increasing green space in Brooklyn could significantly improve health outcomes and reduce disparities, especially for Black and Hispanic residents. The report, titled “The Greenpoint-Williamsburg TNC Study”, was a collaboration between The Nature Conservancy, the Gowanus Canal Conservancy and local community organizations. The study focused on Greenpoint and Williamsburg, two rapidly gentrifying neighborhoods that still have significant low-income and minority populations. Researchers found that these communities have lower tree canopy coverage and access to parks compared to the borough average. Planting more street trees, creating new parks and improving existing green spaces…
Author: Disparity Matters
A new study from UCLA has found significant racial and ethnic disparities in children’s mental health treatment across the United States. The research, published Monday in the Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, reveals that Black and Hispanic youth are substantially less likely to receive mental health services compared to their white counterparts. Led by Dr. Susan Ettner, a professor of health policy and management at the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health, the study analyzed data from over 50,000 children aged 5-17. It found that even when controlling for socioeconomic factors and health insurance status,…
A recent study by the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) reveals a disturbing trend in workplace safety for Latino workers in the United States. According to the report, Latinos are 24% more likely to die in workplace accidents compared to the rest of the population, highlighting a significant racial disparity in occupational hazards. The study, titled “Death on the Job: The Toll of Neglect, 2024,” found that 1,248 Hispanics died on the job in 2022. Alarmingly, 60% of these fatalities were immigrants. The construction industry, where Latinos make up about two-thirds of the workforce, accounts for…
The potential of doulas to improve maternal health outcomes and reduce racial disparities in Arkansas is highlighted in a new report from the Arkansas Center for Health Improvement (ACHI). The state ranks 44th in the nation for maternal mortality, with Black women dying at twice the rate of white women during childbirth. The report, titled “Doulas in Arkansas: Improving Birth Outcomes and Experiences,” notes that doulas provide physical, emotional, and informational support to mothers before, during, and after childbirth. Research shows their involvement can lead to fewer cesarean sections, reduced use of pain medication, and higher rates of breastfeeding. However,…
Financial instability is associated with faster cognitive decline in older Black Americans compared to their white counterparts, a new study has found. The research, led by Adina Zeki Al Hazzouriof Columbia University, highlights the disparities in cognitive health among different racial and ethnic groups in the United States. The study analyzed data from 1,324 Black and 4,692 white participants aged 65 and older. Participants were assessed for cognitive function and financial stability over a 12-year period. Financial instability was defined as having an income below the federal poverty level, difficulty paying bills, or experiencing food insecurity. Results showed that Black…
Growing evidence suggests experiencing racial discrimination may increase the risk of developing heart disease, according to a scientific statement from the American Heart Association. The statement, published Thursday in the journal Circulation, notes that Black adults in the U.S. are 30% more likely than white adults to die from heart disease. This disparity has been linked to socioeconomic factors like lower income and education levels, which are themselves influenced by structural racism. However, the AHA’s review of recent research indicates that racism itself, independent of socioeconomic status, is emerging as a key factor. Studies have found associations between self-reported experiences…
Providing cultural competency training to primary care teams can improve the quality of care for patients from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds, according to a new study by researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) and Harvard Medical School. The study involved nearly 1,500 primary care physicians, nurses and medical assistants at 25 practices in eastern Massachusetts. Half the practices received training to help them better understand and address cultural differences that may impact patient care. “There are significant disparities in health outcomes among racial and ethnic groups in the United States,” said lead author Dr. Elyse Park, a clinical psychologist…
The recent water crisis in Jackson, Mississippi, has shed light on the stark racial inequalities in America’s infrastructure. In a city where 80% of the population is Black, residents faced weeks without access to clean water, exposing a long-standing issue of neglect and underinvestment in predominantly African American communities. EPA Administrator Michael Regan’s 2021 visit to Jackson revealed the dire state of the city’s water system. At Wilkins Elementary, Regan witnessed firsthand how low water pressure left toilets unflushed and forced schools to switch to remote learning. This visit underscored the urgent need for substantial investment in Jackson’s deteriorating water infrastructure. Despite…
Black Americans are significantly underrepresented in residential care communities across the United States, a new analysis by The Associated Press and CNHI News, an American publisher of newspapers has found. The study, based on data from the 2020 National Post-acute and Long-term Care Study, reveals that while Black Americans account for approximately 9% of people over 65 in the U.S., they make up only 4.9% of the population in assisted living facilities. In contrast, white Americans, who comprise 75% of the over-65 population, are overrepresented in residential care communities at 88%. The analysis also found that Black Americans are overrepresented…
A Stanford psychiatrist is highlighting the unique mental health challenges faced by Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) youth in the United States. In an interview with Psychiatric Times, Dr. Apurva Bhatt discussed the cultural stigma and barriers to care that contribute to higher rates of suicide and underutilization of mental health services in this population. “To effectively address suicidality among AAPI youth, it is crucial for clinicians to embrace culturally competent approaches,” said Bhatt, a child, adolescent, and adult psychiatrist at Stanford Medicine Children’s Health and clinical assistant professor at Stanford University School of Medicine. Studies show that Asians…