A new analysis from the National Center for Health Statistics reveals a concerning trend in U.S. maternal health, with the rate of premature births increasing by 12% from 2014 to 2022. The study found that nearly 8.7% of babies were born prematurely, highlighting significant racial and age disparities among mothers. Black mothers face the highest risk, being almost twice as likely as white mothers to give birth prematurely, with rates of 12.5% and 7.6% respectively. This stark difference underscores persistent racial inequalities in maternal healthcare. Age also plays a crucial role, with women over 40 experiencing a higher risk of preterm birth…
Author: Disparity Matters
“Community Health Centers, which already serve as an essential component of the health care landscape, play a critical role in advancing more equitable and inclusive research.”
Poor sleep hygiene is particularly detrimental to the heart health of Black Americans, warns a group of physicians and experts. Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reveals that 43.5% of Black adults get less than seven hours of sleep per night, compared to 30.7% of white adults. This lack of quality sleep can lead to or worsen health problems, many of which disproportionately affect Black people. Cardiovascular health is a significant concern, with the Cleveland Clinic reporting that approximately 47% of Black adults have been diagnosed with cardiovascular disease, compared to 36% of white adults. “Sleep is not…
A recent decision by a U.S. task force on lung cancer screening guidelines has sparked controversy, highlighting the ongoing issue of racial disparities in healthcare. “Lung cancer screening is not going to be a one size fits all solution,” says Vanderbilt University epidemiologist Melinda Aldrich (above), who advocates for more personalized approaches to assessing risk. Critics argue that the current policies fail to adequately consider factors such as race, genetics, environment, and occupation, which can significantly impact an individual’s risk of developing lung cancer. This oversight has raised concerns among healthcare professionals and advocates who are calling for a comprehensive review…
The United States is grappling with a significant rise in syphilis cases, with rates reaching levels not seen since 1950, according to a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The data reveals a 9% increase in infectious syphilis cases in 2022, bringing the total number of cases to over 207,000. This surge is particularly concerning as it disproportionately affects certain racial and ethnic groups. American Indian and Alaska Native populations have been hit hardest, experiencing the highest rates of the most infectious types of syphilis. South Dakota, which has a large Native American community, reported the highest…
The Biden-Harris Administration is taking significant steps to enhance access to treatments for sickle cell disease (SCD), a condition that disproportionately affects Black Americans. The Administration’s Cell and Gene Therapy (CGT) Access Model, set to begin in 2025, aims to improve health outcomes and lower healthcare costs for vulnerable populations, with SCD being the initial focus. SCD, a painful genetic blood disorder, affects over 100,000 individuals in the U.S. and leads to a reduced life expectancy and frequent hospitalizations. The CGT Access Model, developed by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) Innovation Center, will implement outcomes-based agreements (OBAs)…
Black Americans face significant health disparities exacerbated by poor sleep, with Black women particularly affected in terms of cardiovascular health. Research led by a team at the University of Texas at Arlington, including scientist Liao, highlights the stark differences in health outcomes. The study reveals that regardless of the health metric considered—be it incidence, prevalence, or mortality—Black women experience a pronounced disparity in cardiovascular disease. The investigation into sleep patterns and their impact on health among Black women is part of a broader examination of factors contributing to cardiovascular disease. The findings underscore the importance of addressing sleep quality as…
Black Medicaid recipients are significantly more likely to be hospitalized for preventable health issues than their white counterparts, reveals a recent analysis by the Urban Institute. The report, based on 2019 data from 21 states, identifies heart failure, diabetes, and asthma/chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) as the top three preventable issues leading to hospitalization among Black individuals. Katherine Hempstead, senior policy adviser at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, highlighted the concerning data for heart failure, indicating a lack of access to high-quality primary care, particularly for Black and/or disabled enrollees. The report underscores the persistent health disparities in America. See…
Susan G. Komen, the world’s leading breast cancer organization, has launched the Stand for H.E.R. – A Health Equity Revolution Breast Cancer Impact Report. This transformative report not only exposes the stark breast cancer health disparities faced by Black women in the United States, but also details Komen’s concerted efforts to help dismantle these barriers and foster community relationships to create systemic change. “Black women continue to face significant barriers to breast cancer care, regardless of what age they are, if they’re insured or where they live,” said Paula Schneider, president and CEO of Susan G. Komen. “As highlighted in…
New birth data from 2022 shows that racial and geographic inequities in maternal and infant health outcomes in the United States remain stubbornly high, despite increased focus on addressing these disparities. The National Center for Health Statistics report reveals that Black mothers and infants continue to face significantly higher mortality rates compared to their non-Hispanic White counterparts. Maternal and infant mortality rates for Black individuals are approximately 2.5 times higher than those for non-Hispanic Whites. Black mothers were also 18 percent more likely to undergo cesarean sections in 2022. These disparities persist across various key health outcomes, including low birthweight and…