New research reveals that everyday discrimination can fuel smoking habits and increase heart disease risk, with Hispanic women particularly affected. A study by New York University researchers found that discrimination’s impact on cardiovascular health varies significantly across racial, ethnic, and gender groups.The investigation, part of the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA), involved 6,814 participants aged 45 to 84 who were initially free of clinical cardiovascular disease. Researchers examined the relationships between discrimination, cigarette smoking, and indicators of cardiovascular disease risk.Hispanic women emerged as a group uniquely impacted by this chain of events. The study showed a significant indirect effect of…
Author: Disparity Matters
Large majorities of U.S. adults say racism is a problem across various aspects of society, with Black adults far more likely than White adults to view it as a major issue, according to a new KFF survey on racism, discrimination, and health. The survey found that at least half of adults say racism is a major problem in U.S. politics (56%), criminal justice (54%), and policing (51%). However, only 32% see racism as a major problem in health care. Black adults are at least 20 percentage points more likely than White adults to view racism as a major problem in…
Young Black and Hispanic women with multiple sclerosis (MS) experience worse health outcomes and greater challenges during pregnancy compared to young white women, according to a new study published in the journal Neurology. Researchers from nine MS centers across the United States analyzed medical records of 294 women whose pregnancies resulted in live births. The study found that Black and Hispanic women faced significant socioeconomic disadvantages likely to adversely affect their health. Dr. Riley Bove, senior author from the UCSF Department of Neurology, stated, “At the time of conception, they were more likely to live in under-resourced neighborhoods, to be…
New Census Bureau data reveals that hurricanes are the leading cause of displacement due to natural disasters in the United States, with Black and Latino communities disproportionately affected. In 2023, 2.5 million people were forced to leave their homes, primarily due to hurricanes in the Southeast. The data, collected through the Household Pulse Survey, provides valuable insight into disaster-related displacement patterns. According to the survey, Black residents in the Southeast are nearly twice as likely to experience hurricanes compared to non-Black residents in the same region. Factors such as lower average income and higher rates of renting among Black populations contribute…
Combining physical activities with community building and education within Black community
Research has revealed that racial and ethnic minorities in the United States face significant disparities in dementia care, impacting their health outcomes profoundly. Individuals from marginalized communities often receive delayed diagnoses and inadequate treatment compared to their white counterparts. For instance, it takes 11% longer for Black Americans and 40% longer for Hispanic Americans to receive a diagnosis. These disparities extend beyond diagnosis. Minoritized populations are less likely to be prescribed essential medications for dementia, with Black and Hispanic older adults facing higher rates of medication discontinuation. Additionally, they often end up receiving more aggressive, life-sustaining treatments during end-of-life care, limiting…
Severe complications among pregnant veterans have nearly doubled over the past decade, a Government Accountability Office (GAO) report reveals. The increase is particularly alarming for Black women veterans, who face significantly higher complication rates. The report underscores the urgent need for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to enhance its data collection and analysis on severe complications, mental health, and the racial and ethnic backgrounds of affected veterans. This comprehensive approach aims to pinpoint the root causes of the escalating complication rates and the stark racial disparities observed. The VA is prioritizing the reduction of racial and ethnic disparities in…
African Americans face dramatically higher rates of misdiagnosis in mental health care, with profound consequences for their lives and well-being. According to a 2023 study, Black Americans are three to four times more likely to be diagnosed with schizophrenia-spectrum disorders compared with White Americans, even when symptoms suggest bipolar disorder or other mood conditions.Dr. Leesha Ellis-Cox, a psychiatrist interviewed for Black History Month, explains that racial bias drives these disparities. Mental health providers often overemphasize psychotic symptoms in Black patients while minimizing mood symptoms, leading to inappropriate medications, costly hospitalizations, and even unnecessary involvement with the criminal justice system. A…
A new survey reveals that nearly half of healthcare providers have observed discrimination against patients in their facilities, highlighting a pervasive issue of racism in the medical industry. The study, conducted by the Commonwealth Fund in partnership with the African American Research Collaborative, found that 47% of healthcare workers have witnessed patient discrimination firsthand. The survey results paint a troubling picture of health disparities, with 52% of respondents describing racism and discrimination against patients as either a major problem or a crisis in healthcare. Black and Latino patients were reported to face the highest levels of discrimination, at 70% and 61%…
California’s environmental justice screening tool, designed to identify communities burdened by pollution, has come under scrutiny for not explicitly considering race or ethnicity in its methodology. Critics argue that this omission overlooks the significant role race plays in environmental disparities. Despite this, the tool has been found to align closely with racial demographics, inadvertently prioritizing communities of color which often face greater pollution burdens.Alvaro Sanchez, Vice President of Policy at the Greenlining Institute, acknowledges the tool’s limitations but notes that with the right methodology, it can still effectively identify the most impacted communities. The Equity Research Institute’s Director, Manuel Pastor,…