Black women aged 25-44 in the United States face a homicide rate nearly four times higher than their white counterparts, according to a new study published in The Lancet medical journal. The analysis, which examined data from 30 states between 1999 and 2020, reveals a persistent and alarming racial disparity in murder rates that has remained virtually unchanged for over two decades. In 2020, the homicide rate for Black women in this age group was 11.6 per 100,000, compared to 3 per 100,000 for white women. The study found that racial inequities in homicide rates increased in 11 states since 1999,…
Author: Disparity Matters
A groundbreaking study has revealed that South Asians may face a higher risk of cardiovascular disease due to a decreased ability to repair blood vessels, potentially explaining the observed disparities in heart disease prevalence and severity between South Asians and white Europeans. Conducted by researchers and published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, the study compared stem cell levels involved in blood vessel regeneration between individuals of South Asian and white European descent. Findings indicated that South Asians possess lower levels of these critical stem cells, suggesting a biological underpinning for their increased cardiovascular risk. South Asians,…
People from South Asia, like India and Pakistan, are more likely to get heart disease than people with white European backgrounds. A new study found that this might be because South Asians have fewer stem cells, which are special cells that help repair damaged blood vessels. Researchers from Unity Health Toronto compared the number of stem cells in people of South Asian and white European descent. They discovered that South Asians had lower levels of these important cells. Dr. Subodh Verma, a heart surgeon who worked on the study, said that it’s important to understand why South Asians…
Federal health authorities are intensifying efforts to address the stark racial disparities in cardiovascular health, particularly among Black Americans, as American Heart Month aligns with Black History Month. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Office of Minority Health (CMS OMH) has highlighted the disproportionate impact of heart disease on Black communities, citing challenges such as access to medication, preventive services, and safe exercise environments. Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death across most demographics in the United States, with Black individuals experiencing the highest prevalence of any racial group. In response, CMS OMH is promoting prevention and care…
In a critical examination of health disparities, recent findings highlight the alarming rate of HIV infections among gay Black men in the United States, attributing a significant portion of the blame to inadequate access to health care. Deion Hawkins, an expert in Critical Race Theory (CRT) and health communication campaigns, underscores the disproportionate impact of HIV on the Black community, particularly among gay and bisexual men. This demographic accounted for 26% of the 36,801 new HIV diagnoses in 2019, marking them as the most affected group in the country.Hawkins, who serves as an Assistant Professor of Argumentation & Advocacy and…
Black Americans and those with lower socioeconomic status who have Type 2 diabetes face increased risk factors for colorectal cancer, according to a new study from University of Wisconsin researchers. The findings highlight ongoing racial disparities in cancer research and treatment. The study, co-authored by UW assistant professor Shaneda Warren Andersen, specifically included marginalized groups often excluded from medical research. It found that preventative screenings can help mitigate increased colorectal cancer risk for those with diabetes. “Because most of that [cancer] research takes place in white samples, we wanted to see if this association also existed in the southern community cohort, which…
Heart disease, the leading cause of death for Americans, disproportionately affects Native American communities. In Forest County, the death rate for heart disease among Native Americans aged 35 and older is 464 per 100,000, significantly higher than the overall rate of 344 per 100,000. Dr. Anupama Joseph, a non-invasive cardiologist at the University of Wisconsin, attributes this disparity to “long term consequences of intergenerational trauma and the effects of colonialism.” She points to the historical reliance on commodity foods, which are often processed and high in sugar, as a contributing factor to higher rates of obesity, diabetes, and heart disease in…
A new study published in The Journal of Urology reveals that racial representation significantly impacts trust in online prostate cancer information among Black men. Researchers found that websites lacking Black representation were less likely to be trusted by Black patients seeking information about prostate cancer. Dr. Stacy Loeb of New York University Langone Health, the study’s lead author, emphasized, “Our study shows that representation matters to Black patients seeking prostate cancer information online.” The lack of Black representation in prostate cancer content gave some participants the false impression that Black men are at lower risk for the disease, despite national…
Native Americans are experiencing heart disease at higher rates compared to other demographics, with significant premature mortality, a recent study reveals. Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicates that in Forest County, the death rate from heart disease among Native Americans aged 35 and older is 464 per 100,000, compared to 344 per 100,000 for the general population of the same age group.Dr. Anupama Joseph, a non-invasive cardiologist at the University of Wisconsin, emphasizes that cardiovascular disease prevention and addressing health disparities are her primary concerns. Dr. Joseph, who conducts a preventive cardiology clinic four times…
A comprehensive study reveals significant racial disparities in the health outcomes of living kidney donors, with non-white donors experiencing worse health post-donation. The research, led by McElroy LM, Schappe T, Mohottige D, and colleagues, published in JAMA Network Open, scrutinizes living donor kidney transplant centers across the United States from 2008 to 2018. The findings underscore a persistent inequity in the aftermath of kidney donation, affecting African American, Hispanic, and Asian donors more adversely than their white counterparts.The study’s authors call for a concerted effort to address these disparities, which may include improving access to healthcare and post-donation support for…