A recent study reveals a concerning connection between gendered racial microaggressions experienced during obstetric care and elevated postpartum blood pressure among Asian, Black, and Hispanic women. Researchers from Columbia University and the University of Pennsylvania found that women who reported at least one microaggression during care showed modestly higher systolic blood pressures in the days and weeks following childbirth. The study, published in Hypertension, involved 373 participants from four hospitals in Philadelphia and New York City. Those who experienced microaggressions, such as feeling disrespected or being accused of anger when speaking assertively, had systolic blood pressures up to 2.19 mm…
Author: Disparity Matters
A new University of Chicago study reveals a troubling connection between eviction rates and gun violence in Chicago neighborhoods, with profound implications for racial health disparities. The research found that each 1% increase in eviction rates within a census tract corresponded to 2.66 additional shootings.Black women face disproportionate impacts from eviction filings, the study notes. Between 2007 and 2016, over 3.6 million Americans annually were forcibly removed from their housing, with evicted individuals experiencing higher rates of financial hardship, stress, and depression. These evictions don’t just affect displaced families—they destabilize entire communities.The research identifies a critical mechanism: evictions destroy “collective…
Drug overdose deaths among Black Americans, particularly older Black men, are rising at an alarming rate, even as overall national rates decline. Recent data reveals a stark disparity in the impact of the ongoing drug crisis, with Black men aged 55 and older facing a death rate nearly five times the national average.While the United States has seen a significant drop in overall drug overdose fatalities since the peak in 2022, this positive trend does not extend to the Black community. In fact, the overdose rate for older Black men has increased nearly fivefold from 2015 to 2023. This troubling…
A comprehensive study published in Lupus Science & Medicine has uncovered significant gaps in lupus nephritis (LN) clinical trials, particularly regarding the representation of minority populations. Researchers conducted a systematic review of 61 randomized clinical trials (RCTs) carried out between January 2000 and February 2024, encompassing 7,058 participants across 124 treatment groups.The study’s findings highlight a stark imbalance in racial representation among trial participants. Asians constituted the majority at 55.2%, followed by White participants at 28.4%. Notably, Black individuals were severely underrepresented, accounting for just 7.2% of participants. This disparity is particularly concerning given that Black populations are known to…
A comprehensive review of health disparities in rheumatology reveals persistent inequalities affecting underserved populations in the United States. The study, published in Open Access Rheumatology: Research and Reviews, highlights significant disparities in disease activity, access to care, and treatment outcomes for patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), psoriatic arthritis (PsA), and ankylosing spondylitis (AS).Researchers found that patients from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups, those with lower socioeconomic status, and individuals with Medicare or Medicaid insurance face greater challenges in managing their rheumatic conditions. Black and Hispanic patients with RA reported higher disease activity and worse functional outcomes compared to their White…
The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) has released alarming data showing a significant decline in the enrollment of minority students in medical schools following the Supreme Court’s decision to ban race-conscious admissions. The numbers paint a stark picture of the immediate impact on diversity in medical education.Black student enrollment fell by 11.6% compared to the previous year, while Hispanic student numbers decreased by 10.8%. The decline was even more pronounced for Indigenous students, with American Indian or Alaska Native enrollment dropping by 22.1% and Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander enrollment falling by 4.3%.These figures represent a reversal of the…
Focused on reducing disparities in advanced-care planning and treatment access among Hispanic and female patients with Parkinson’s disease.
Investing $210+ million in scientific research on health inequities and expanding opportunities for underrepresented groups in science and medicine
A groundbreaking study has revealed that reparation payments to Black households could significantly reduce premature mortality rates among Black adults in the United States. Researchers from Drexel University found that substantial financial compensation could lead to a 29 percent decrease in early deaths within this population. Jourdyn Lawrence, an epidemiologist at Drexel University, spearheaded the research that explored the potential health impacts of reparations. “We wanted to think about the relationships between structural racism and health and what an intervention might look like to close the Black-White wealth gap,” Lawrence explained. The study utilized a simulation model to assess the…
A recent study reveals a growing trend among physicians to inquire about their patients’ social needs during medical appointments. The research, published in JAMA Network Open, shows that 27% of physician practices screened for five common social risk factors in 2022, up from 15% in 2017.The study focused on screening for interpersonal violence, access to transportation, food insecurity, housing instability, and utility needs. While the overall percentage of practices screening for all five factors remains low, nearly three-quarters of practices surveyed in 2022 screened for at least one social risk, an increase from 67% in 2017.Interpersonal violence emerged as the…