New research from the University of Massachusetts Amherst reveals that Black and Latinx birthing people face significantly higher rates of severe maternal morbidity (SMM) following planned repeat cesarean deliveries compared to their white counterparts. These complications—ranging from heart attacks to kidney failure—can have lasting health consequences and are considered “near misses” for maternal mortality.Lead author Laura Attanasio noted that while SMM rates were similar across racial and ethnic groups for vaginal births after cesarean (VBAC), disparities emerged with planned repeat C-sections. “Among White birthing people, severe maternal morbidity rates were similar for VBAC and for planned repeat cesarean,” she said.…
Author: Disparity Matters
Older adults living in low-income neighborhoods with limited access to healthy food are experiencing faster cognitive decline, according to a new study led by University of Iowa researcher Boeun Kim. The research highlights how structural inequities in food access are contributing to health disparities, particularly among Black and Latinx seniors.The study analyzed data from nearly 4,800 adults aged 65 and older across urban neighborhoods in the U.S. It found that those living in areas with both low income and poor access to healthy food—defined as “unhealthy food environments”—showed significantly faster declines in brain function. These findings held even after adjusting…
Large-scale animal feeding operations, known as CAFOs, are a growing public health concern, and a new multi-state study highlights how their impacts fall unevenly on disadvantaged communities. Researchers examined data from seven states — including North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas, Iowa, and Wisconsin — and found that exposure to CAFOs and other animal feeding operations often overlaps with neighborhoods where poverty is higher and people of color make up a greater share of the population.In states like North Carolina and South Carolina, communities with higher rates of poverty, lower education levels, and larger Black and Hispanic populations were more likely…
While national drug overdose deaths have declined by 10% in the past two years, Black Americans continue to die at disproportionately high rates. In a recent report from Word In Black, experts and advocates point to systemic neglect, underfunded services, and criminalization as key drivers of this ongoing crisis.Saeeda Dunston, CEO of Elmcor Youth & Adult Activities in Queens, says Black and Brown communities have long been treated as “a throwaway population” when it comes to substance use. “We have historically criminalized substance use,” she says, rather than treating it as a public health issue.Synthetic opioids like fentanyl are fueling…
Limited access to pharmacies is emerging as a critical factor in health disparities across underserved U.S. communities. A recent analysis by PolicyMap, shared by CEO Maggie Mccullough, reveals how geographic and socioeconomic barriers intersect to restrict access to essential medications and services. The data highlights that residents in certain areas—often low-income or lacking reliable transportation—face significant challenges in reaching a pharmacy. These pharmacy deserts are not just about distance; they reflect deeper systemic inequalities that shape health outcomes. Mccullough emphasized the importance of understanding these patterns to close gaps in care and improve community health. The analysis identifies specific regions…
A growing number of people who have never smoked are being diagnosed with lung cancer — and women, particularly of Asian descent, are disproportionately affected. The BBC reports that while overall smoking rates are falling worldwide, up to one in five new lung cancer cases now occur in people who have never smoked.Oncologist Andreas Wicki of the University Hospital Zurich said lung cancer in nonsmokers “is emerging as a separate disease entity” with unique genetic and environmental causes. Women who have never smoked are more than twice as likely as men to develop the disease, often tied to mutations in…
As federal efforts to dismantle diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs accelerate, a new commentary warns that such actions will not benefit Asian Americans in health care—and may, in fact, harm them. Despite claims that DEI discriminates against Asian Americans, the authors argue there is no evidence to support this.Asian Americans are overrepresented in many health professions, including medicine and pharmacy, and have higher representation among medical students than their share of the applicant pool. Yet, they still face persistent barriers. Asian American health care workers report harassment and discrimination, and Filipinx nurses were disproportionately affected by COVID-19 mortality due…
A new national study reveals that Pacific Islander adults in the U.S. face significantly higher mortality rates than Asian American adults—especially in counties with higher income, education, and population density. The findings challenge assumptions that living in wealthier areas guarantees better health outcomes for all.Researchers analyzed death certificate data from 2018 to 2020 and found that Pacific Islander adults had consistently higher rates of death from all causes, cancer, and heart disease compared to Asian Americans. The disparities were most pronounced among adults under 65, particularly in counties with the lowest unemployment and highest education and income levels.In counties with…
As healthcare costs in the U.S. have nearly tripled since 2005, Black families are bearing a disproportionate financial burden. A recent report from the Milliman Medical Index shows that the average family of four now pays over $35,000 annually for healthcare—up from just over $12,200 two decades ago. This surge includes premiums, hospital care, pharmacy expenses, and out-of-pocket costs, which alone exceed $7,800 per person.While all families are feeling the squeeze, Black and Hispanic households with employer-sponsored insurance are losing a larger share of their wages to premiums. A 2024 JAMA report found that by 2019, healthcare premiums consumed 19.2%…
Despite psoriasis being more prevalent in white populations, patients with skin of color (SOC) often face a heavier burden of disease. A recent multinational literature review published in the International Journal of Dermatology reveals that SOC patients typically present with more severe psoriasis, likely due to delayed access to dermatologic care.Dr. Maria-Angeliki Gkini, the study’s lead author, emphasized that most psoriasis research and education has historically centered on white populations. This imbalance contributes to underrecognition of the disease in SOC patients, whose lesions often appear differently and are less easily identified. “Lesions in individuals with SOC are less recognizable and…