Communities that are more vulnerable to climate change also face a greater burden of cardio-kidney-metabolic diseases, according to a new study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association. The research reveals a significant association between climate vulnerability and adverse health outcomes, with implications for targeted public health interventions. The cross-sectional study, conducted by researchers at Houston Methodist, analyzed 70,300 census tracts comprising nearly 300 million Americans. They found that each climate change domain—health, social and economic, and extreme events—was strongly associated with cardio-kidney-metabolic outcomes, including coronary heart disease, kidney disease, obesity, diabetes, dyslipidemia and hypertension. “We were motivated…
Author: Disparity Matters
Despite long-standing assumptions that suicide and opioid use disorder (OUD) primarily affect White Americans, new research reveals a more complex and troubling reality for Black communities. A study published in Social Science & Medicine found that while White participants with OUD reported higher average depression and anxiety scores, Black participants with moderate to severe symptoms were more likely to report suicidal behavior.The study analyzed data from adults in recovery in St. Louis, Missouri, using standard mental health screening tools—the PHQ-9 and GAD-7. Researchers discovered that the optimal cut-off scores for identifying suicide risk differed by race, suggesting that these tools…
A new analysis of metastatic lung cancer trends in the U.S. reveals that while overall incidence has declined since 2014, not all communities are benefiting equally. The study, published in Cureus, examined data from over 445,000 adults and found that racial and ethnic disparities remain stark in the era of lung cancer screening.The decline in metastatic lung cancer was most significant among White and Black patients. However, no meaningful trend changes were observed for non-Hispanic American Indian/Alaska Native, non-Hispanic Asian/Pacific Islander, or Hispanic populations. This suggests that these groups may not be accessing or benefiting from early detection efforts at…
Black Americans continue to bear a disproportionate burden of the HIV epidemic in the United States. Although they represent just 12% of the U.S. population, they account for more than one-third of all people living with HIV. According to two federal studies, nearly 55% of all new HIV diagnoses are among Black individuals, the highest rate of any racial or ethnic group.One study, which analyzed data from 61 regions, found that while Black people made up 45% of those tested for HIV—a promising sign—they still faced the highest rates of new diagnoses. Among newly diagnosed Black individuals, gay men represented…
A new study published in Health Affairs reveals that low-income patients and those from historically disadvantaged racial and ethnic groups face the steepest burdens from health insurance claim denials. Using a national dataset of remittance records and patient demographics, researchers found that these populations are less likely to contest denied claims and, when they do, receive smaller financial relief.Patients with household incomes under $50,000 were the least likely to challenge denied claims or see their cost-sharing obligations reduced. Even when racial minority patients did contest denials, they achieved lower average savings than non-Hispanic white patients. The study highlights how navigating…
Lung cancer is emerging as a silent threat among Asian American women—especially those who have never smoked. Despite the overall decline in lung cancer rates in the United States, recent research shows that rates are increasing among Asian American women who have no history of smoking. In some groups, such as Chinese and Asian Indian American women, up to 80% of those diagnosed with lung cancer have never smoked.This trend is particularly alarming given the low smoking prevalence among Asian American women overall. Researchers point to a range of possible risk factors, including family history of lung cancer, prior lung…
A new study led by researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center reveals that survival rates for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) dropped significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic, with Black and Hispanic communities experiencing the steepest declines.Before March 2020, OHCA survival rates had been improving. But by 2020, overall survival had fallen to 9%. In majority Black and Hispanic communities, survival dropped by 16.5%, compared to 8.1% in predominantly white communities and 6.5% in integrated areas. These disparities persisted through 2022.The study analyzed data from over 500,000 OHCA patients served by more than 1,300 emergency medical service agencies. Survival rates were lowest…
A new review published in the International Journal of Dermatology reveals a troubling gap in dermatologic research: patients with skin of color (SoC) are significantly underrepresented in studies of inflammatory nail disorders. This lack of inclusion may be contributing to delayed diagnoses and poorer outcomes for these patients. Researchers analyzed 60 studies covering 16 inflammatory nail disorders and over 12,000 patient cases. Only three studies explicitly documented skin phototypes. Many relied on the country of origin of authors or patient cohorts to infer SoC representation, a method the authors say is insufficient. The review found that patients with SoC often…
Cerebral aneurysms—those silent, blister-like bulges in brain arteries—affect millions, but not all communities face the same risks. According to the Brain Aneurysm Foundation, African Americans and Hispanics are more likely to develop brain aneurysms than white individuals. Women, particularly those over 55, also face a higher risk of rupture.Dr. Scott Simon, a neurosurgeon at Penn State Health, likens an aneurysm to “a blister on a water hose.” Often undetected until a scan for another issue reveals them, these lesions can be fatal if they rupture. Half of all ruptures result in death, and two-thirds of survivors suffer permanent neurological damage.Despite…
A new study from the All of Us research program reveals that inherited heart conditions may be more common than previously thought—and that South Asian individuals face a particularly high risk. Researchers found that 1.2% of people with South Asian ancestry carried pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants in cardiomyopathy genes, compared to 0.8% of those with European or African ancestry and 0.5% of East Asian individuals.“These findings highlight the need for larger, more ethnically diverse cohorts,” said Dr. Pankaj Arora and colleagues, who led the study. They emphasized the importance of refining genetic screening methods and understanding ancestry-specific risks.Carriers of…