Endometrial cancer continues to expose one of the most persistent racial survival gaps in women’s health, with African American women facing far higher risks of aggressive disease and death than European American women. New research in npj Precision Oncology shows that these disparities are driven not only by access to care, but also by fundamental differences in tumor biology and immune response that shape outcomes long after diagnosis.Five-year mortality for African American women with endometrial cancer stands at 39%, compared with 20% for European American women. The study found African American women are more likely to develop high-grade, non-endometrioid tumors…
Author: Disparity Matters
A recent study published in BMC Infectious Diseases reveals significant racial and ethnic disparities in tuberculosis (TB) incidence linked to specific components of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) across the United States. The research analyzed data from 2000 to 2019, focusing on the impact of 15 PM2.5 constituents and their sources on TB rates among different racial and ethnic groups.Findings indicate that Hispanic populations experienced a notably higher incidence of TB associated with exposure to certain PM2.5 components. For instance, an interquartile range increase in sulfate levels corresponded to an additional 4.10 TB cases per 100,000 individuals annually among Hispanics, compared…
A new Washington state law is reshaping Spokane’s Board of Health to include multiple Native voices, a move driven by persistent health disparities among Indigenous communities. For three years, a seat intended for tribal representation remained vacant due to legal ambiguity. The updated legislation now mandates that local health boards include members appointed by tribes or urban Indian organizations recognized by the Indian Health Service.“This speaks to how representation matters,” said Rep. Natasha Hill, who sponsored the bill. “When we have folks representing directly from their community and having a say in the policy, it is always more effective.”The Spokane…
Native Americans continue to experience some of the highest cancer death rates in the United States, a pattern driven by late diagnoses, lower screening rates, and long-standing inequities in access to care. A detailed analysis from City of Hope shows that while cancer incidence varies by region, Native American communities nationwide face disproportionate mortality from several preventable and treatable cancers.Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Cancer Society show that Native Americans have the highest overall cancer mortality in the country. Nationally, death rates for kidney, liver, stomach, and cervical cancers are double or triple…
Native Americans in the Southwest experience a complex cancer landscape—lower overall rates than their white neighbors, yet disproportionately high risks for specific cancers. A CDC report analyzing data from 2017 to 2021 found that Southwest Native Americans had a 400% higher rate of gallbladder cancer and nearly double the rate of stomach cancer compared to non-Hispanic whites. Liver, kidney, and myeloma rates were also significantly elevated.Despite these disparities, Native Americans in the Southwest had a 23% lower overall cancer rate than whites in tribal or adjacent counties. Breast and lung cancer rates were notably lower among Native women. However, cervical…
In Miami’s Little Haiti, cancer screening rates lag behind national and county averages, revealing a troubling disparity in preventive care. A literature review by researchers at Florida International University highlights how socioeconomic, cultural, and systemic barriers contribute to lower adherence to breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer screenings in this predominantly Black and immigrant community. West Little River, used as a proxy for Little Haiti, shows cervical cancer screening rates at 77.3%—below the national average of 82.8%. Colorectal cancer screening is even lower at 66.8%. Language barriers, limited health literacy, and misconceptions about cancer contribute to these gaps. Haitian women, in…
A new study reveals that personal care products used daily by many Black and Latina women contain formaldehyde, a known cancer-causing chemical. Conducted by the Silent Spring Institute, the research found that 53% of participants used at least one product with formaldehyde-releasing preservatives. The study, based in Los Angeles, tracked 70 women who documented their use of shampoos, lotions, body soaps, and even eyelash glue. Researchers discovered formaldehyde in 47% of skin care products and 58% of hair products reported. “We found that this isn’t just about hair straighteners,” said lead author Robin Dodson, ScD. “These chemicals are in products…
A new statewide survey reveals that Hawai‘i residents are facing a sharp decline in health outlook, with Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, Filipino, and low-income communities bearing the brunt of worsening disparities. The University of Hawai‘i Economic Research Organization’s Rapid Health Survey, which has tracked over 2,000 adults since 2022, shows a troubling drop in self-reported health and access to care.Only 40% of adults rated their health as “excellent or very good” by the end of 2024, down from 44% in mid-2023. Among Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander respondents and those living in poverty, that number plummeted to just 23%.Mental health…
A new study reveals that social segregation and wealth inequality not only deepen health disparities but also speed up the spread of infectious diseases. Researchers from the Complexity Science Hub Vienna analyzed data from 404 U.S. metropolitan areas and found that communities with higher levels of segregation experienced more intense and widespread outbreaks.“As social segregation increases, it exacerbates not only the health inequality but also the overall prevalence of the disease,” said lead author Sina Sajjadi. Contrary to assumptions that limited interaction between groups might reduce transmission, the study found that segregation actually fuels a rapid spread, especially in tightly…
While fewer Americans are being newly diagnosed with dementia, more are living with the condition—especially in marginalized communities. A recent study of over 5 million Medicare beneficiaries from 2015 to 2021 found that although dementia incidence declined from 3.5% to 2.8%, prevalence rose from 10.5% to 11.8%.Black Americans consistently had the highest incidence rates, with 4.2% in 2015 and 3.1% in 2021, compared to 2.8% for white and 2.6% for Hispanic beneficiaries in 2021. The study also revealed that people living in socioeconomically deprived neighborhoods experienced the highest rates of both new and existing dementia cases.Researchers, including Jay Lusk, MD,…