Black adults across the United States suffer from sleep problems following exposure to news about unarmed Black individuals killed by police, according to new findings from the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine. The study, published in JAMA Internal Medicine, found statistically significant decreases in sleep duration among Black adults after exposure to such deaths. This issue may compound the risk factors that poor sleep already poses for many chronic and mental health conditions, from depression to post-traumatic stress disorder.Researchers conducted two separate analyses examining changes in sleep duration in the U.S. non-Hispanic Black population before and after exposure…
Author: Disparity Matters
Decades of escalating health insurance expenses have significantly eroded the earnings of American workers, with a pronounced impact on lower-paid employees and people of color, a new study reveals. The research, published in JAMA Network Open, highlights the hidden costs of healthcare that contribute to stagnant wage growth, a disproportionate insurance premium burden, and widening income inequality. Ezekiel Emanuel, a study author and vice provost for global initiatives at the University of Pennsylvania, emphasizes that these financial pressures have not only stripped Americans of substantial income but have also intensified racial disparities. The Healthcare Transformation Institute at the University of…
A recent review highlights the significant impact of socioeconomic factors on pediatric oral health, revealing that children from lower-income families are more susceptible to dental caries, also known as tooth decay. The study, published in Cureus, underscores the disparities in oral health among children in different socioeconomic groups and the importance of public health insurance in mitigating these disparities. Children from the lowest household income bracket are over 50% more likely to experience tooth decay compared to their wealthier counterparts. Public insurance coverage is associated with the highest prevalence of dental caries, and children without insurance are nearly twice as…
A study published in Frontiers in Public Health reveals significant disparities in COVID-19 recovery among different racial and ethnic groups in the United States. Researchers found that, although symptoms of the virus appeared at similar rates across groups, Hispanic participants experienced poorer health outcomes and reduced activity levels three to six months after infection compared to their non-Hispanic counterparts. Additionally, participants from racial minority groups reported more adverse impacts on their health status, activity levels, and work attendance than the White population.The study, conducted by a team of U.S. researchers, aimed to shed light on the ethnic and racial disparities…
A Food and Drug Administration (FDA) panel has recommended increased diversity in pulse oximeter trials, following revelations of racial and ethnic disparities in the device’s readings. The panel’s recommendation comes in the wake of a 2022 study that found Asian, Black, and Hispanic patients in intensive care received less supplemental oxygen than their White counterparts, a discrepancy linked to differences in pulse oximeter readings. The study challenged the prevailing assumption that health disparities were primarily due to social determinants such as environmental racism, lack of access to care, and lower employment status. While these factors undeniably impact health outcomes in…
Black patients are at a disadvantage with current Alzheimer’s blood tests, which were found to be less accurate for them compared to white patients, according to a study led by Dr. Darshali Vyas of Massachusetts General Hospital. The study, published in the journal Neurology, indicates that three out of four experimental blood tests for Alzheimer’s disease showed different performances in Black versus white individuals. This discrepancy raises concerns about the reliability of these tests for Black patients, who already face a 40-percent higher rate of Alzheimer’s after age 65 compared to White seniors. The research underscores the broader issue of…
A new report from McKinsey & Company highlights substantial disparities in health outcomes between Black and White residents across the United States, with geography playing a significant role in these inequalities. The study examined various quality-of-life metrics across different community profiles, including urban centers, suburbs, and rural areas. While overall outcomes for Black residents have improved over the past decade, progress towards racial parity remains slow. Among the health-related findings, the report notes that Black Americans in rural areas face particularly challenging conditions. These communities have lower life expectancies for Black residents (74 to 75 years) and high uninsured rates (12 percent). Even…
A new report from the McKinsey Institute for Black Economic Mobility reveals substantial differences in quality of life outcomes for Black residents across various community types in the United States. The analysis, which examined metrics related to key aspirations at the county level, found that while suburbs and exurbs currently offer the best balance of positive Black outcomes and racial parity, large disparities between Black and White residents persist in virtually every county nationwide. The report, titled “The state of Black residents: The relevance of place to racial equity and outcomes,” builds upon McKinsey’s 2021 study “The economic state of…
Led vaccine equity efforts among Black and Hispanic communities, specifically combating COVID-19 vaccine inequity.
Researchers at the Medical University of South Carolina’s Hollings Cancer Center are spearheading efforts to promote genetic testing among Black women, who face higher risks of breast cancer. The initiative aims to address racial health disparities by educating community health workers about the importance of genetic screening. Caitlin Allen, an assistant professor at MUSC, emphasizes that genetic testing can help prevent disease by identifying predispositions and guiding additional screening and care. The research team has already trained 26 community health workers and plans to expand their reach to 150, potentially extending beyond South Carolina. Quisha Umemba, CEO of Umemba Health, highlights the…