A Seattle hospital has successfully eliminated racial disparities in unnecessary cesarean sections (C-sections), a significant achievement in maternal health equity. Published on May 7, 2025, the article in The Seattle Times details how Swedish Medical Center implemented a program to address the higher rates of C-sections among Black and Hispanic women compared to their white counterparts. The initiative focused on standardizing care and reducing biases in clinical decision-making.The program included training for healthcare providers on implicit bias, revising clinical guidelines to ensure consistent care, and closely monitoring C-section rates by race and ethnicity. These efforts resulted in a dramatic reduction…
Author: Disparity Matters
A bipartisan group of senators has raised alarms over recent cuts to the federal health care workforce, warning that these reductions are jeopardizing the health of Native Americans and other beneficiaries of Indian Health Services (IHS). Senators Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) expressed their concerns in a letter to Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., highlighting the disproportionate disease burdens faced by American Indians and Alaska Natives.The senators emphasized that HHS is obligated to provide health care to approximately 2.8 million Native Americans, a population that already experiences significant health disparities. Despite some exemptions for…
At Providence Swedish First Hill campus in Seattle, a bold initiative has erased a long-standing racial disparity in unnecessary cesarean deliveries. Just two years ago, low-risk Black patients were receiving C-sections at a rate of 44.7%, compared to 26.7% for white patients. Today, the rates are nearly identical—27% for Black patients and 27.6% for white patients.The transformation is credited to the JUST Birth Network, launched in 2022 to provide culturally affirming care for patients of color. The program includes 72 birth and postpartum doulas, 45 of whom are people of color, along with cultural navigators and educators. “Giving birth can…
The World Health Organization’s latest report on social determinants of health equity reveals alarming disparities in health outcomes across different social groups. Published on May 6, 2025, the report underscores that where individuals are born, grow, live, work, and age significantly influences their health more than genetic factors or healthcare access. These disparities are not random but are deeply rooted in societal structures and resource allocation. The report highlights that preventable life expectancy gaps are worsening, with some communities experiencing significantly shorter lifespans due to factors like income, education, and social policies. For instance, individuals in countries with the highest…
Five years after the COVID-19 pandemic, racial disparities in health continue to plague minority communities. Published on May 6, 2025, Deanna Pistono’s article in MinnPost highlights that while there has been progress, the future of federal funding for health care systems remains uncertain, casting a shadow over these advancements. Dr. Kevin Gilliam, medical director at NorthPoint Health and Wellness Center, notes that the pandemic illuminated long-standing inequities in health care and overall wellness, driven by factors such as poverty and systemic discrimination.Research from the University of Minnesota in 2021 revealed that racial minorities and non-English speakers in Minnesota were more…
Recent data from the American Cancer Society reveals encouraging trends in cancer survival rates among Black Americans. The report highlights a significant decline in cancer mortality, particularly among Black men, who have seen a 49% drop since 1991. This progress is attributed to reductions in smoking initiation among Black teens, advances in treatment, and earlier detections for certain cancers. Despite these improvements, disparities persist. Black men still face a 16% higher mortality rate than White men, and Black women have a 10% higher mortality rate than White women. These differences are not due to higher incidence rates but rather reflect…
A recent study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism reveals significant disparities in access to pituitary adenoma resection at high-volume facilities (HVFs) in the United States. Researchers from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine analyzed data from the National Cancer Database, examining 57,807 adults diagnosed with pituitary adenomas between 2004 and 2019. The study found that access to HVFs, which perform at least 25 pituitary adenoma resections annually, is influenced by racial and socioeconomic factors. The findings indicate that older age, non-White race/ethnicity, and Medicaid insurance are associated with lower access to HVFs. Specifically, African American and…
African Americans face a troubling paradox: they are 30% more likely to die from heart disease than White Americans, even though they tend to have slightly lower total cholesterol levels. According to the American Heart Association, 44.8% of Black men and 42.1% of Black women have high or borderline high cholesterol, compared to nearly half of White adults. Researchers note that Black men report slightly higher levels of LDL—the “bad” cholesterol—while both Black men and women generally have higher HDL, the “good” cholesterol. Despite these numbers, the disparity in outcomes persists. “Scientists aren’t completely sure why some ethnic groups are…
Recent findings presented at Digestive Disease Week 2025 reveal a significant rise in anal cancer rates among older White and Hispanic women. Published on May 5, 2025, the study led by Eli D. Ehrenpreis, MD, analyzed data from the National Cancer Institute’s Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database from 2017 to 2021. The results show that anal cancer rates increased by 2.9% annually for women and 1.6% for men, with the most pronounced increases among White women over 65, who saw a 4.3% annual rise, reaching 11.4 cases per 100,000 in 2021.Hispanic women over 65 experienced the second-highest increase,…
A recent study published in BMC Public Health reveals the profound impact of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) on chronic health outcomes, particularly among racial and ethnic minorities. The research, conducted by Christianah Jemiyo and colleagues, analyzed data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System across 33 states from 2019 to 2023. The study found that individuals with high ACE exposure are at increased risk for various health issues, including depression, smoking, coronary heart disease, and stroke. The study highlights significant racial disparities in the effects of ACEs. While White respondents with high ACE scores showed a strong association with many…