Health Disparities News and Research

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Health disparities (also called healthcare inequality in some countries) refer to gaps in the quality of health and health care across racial, ethnic, sexual orientation and socioeconomic groups.

Questionnaire predicts chances of middle-aged people living until 2020

People aged between 40 and 70 years can now answer a set of simple questions to calculate their personalised 5-year mortality risk and what is referred to as an “Ubble age” – the age where the average mortality risk in the population is most similar to the estimated risk...

4 Jun 2015

New study shows average New Yorker sits more than seven hours a day

The Big Apple is one of the most walkable cities in the nation, providing many opportunities for physical activity, and New Yorkers are more likely to exercise regularly than the average U.S. adult. But they are also sitting far more than what is considered healthy.

3 Jun 2015

Racial socialization in early childhood may increase child's ability to excel in school

A child's ability to succeed academically is one of the strongest determinants of his or her future quality of life. In particular, it has been directly linked to overall longevity and several other critical health outcomes.

30 May 2015

UM researcher receives grant to examine effects of CBT on racial/ethnic minority smokers

Numerous studies have shown that African Americans and Hispanics are less likely than Caucasians to quit smoking, even if they participate in cessation interventions.

28 May 2015

Scientists identify molecular 'lock' that enables Ebola virus to gain entry to cells

An international team including scientists from Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University and the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases has identified the molecular "lock" that the deadly Ebola virus must pick to gain entry to cells.

27 May 2015

CWRU's Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing receives grant to study multiple chronic conditions

Case Western Reserve University's Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing will begin training predoctoral and postdoctoral researchers to study people with multiple chronic illnesses in hopes of discovering better methods for managing such a complex combination of illnesses.

19 May 2015

Shiftworkers more likely to develop metabolic disorders

Shiftwork is an occupational health risk of growing significance because it is becoming more common and because of its potential influence on health outcomes, possibly increasing health differences between workers of higher vs lower socioeconomic status.

18 May 2015

Misperceptions about miscarriage are widespread, survey finds

A survey of more than 1,000 U.S. adults has found that misperceptions about miscarriage and its causes are widespread. Results of the survey, conducted by researchers at Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University and Montefiore Health System, show that feelings of guilt and shame are common after a miscarriage and that most people erroneously believe that miscarriages are rare.

12 May 2015

Raising lupus awareness: an interview with Professor Ramsey-Goldman, MD

Lupus is a chronic, autoimmune disease, with many different symptoms so it is hard to diagnose. It affects each person differently and it has an unpredictable disease course with flare ups and quiet time. Some patients describe lupus as if they are riding a roller coaster with blinders on because they cannot always tell when they will feel well or sick...

11 May 2015

Montefiore and Einstein researchers to present data on obesity, asthma and autism at PAS 2015

Researchers from the Children's Hospital at Montefiore and Albert Einstein College of Medicine will present data from more than 50 studies that explore topics including obesity, asthma and autism at the annual meeting of the Pediatric Academic Societies.

29 Apr 2015

New Northwestern Medicine study shows that patient portals could widen gap in health disparities

Online sites that offer secure access to one's medical record, often referred to as patient portals, are increasingly important for doctor and patient communication and routine access to health care information. But patient portals could widen the gap in health disparities among the most vulnerable patients, according to a new Northwestern Medicine study.

29 Apr 2015

Preventive intervention improves knowledge, attitudes about sexual risk among adolescent boys than girls

Boys aged between 12-14 years old showed improved knowledge and attitudes about sexual risk after a preventive intervention, compared to girls of the same age, according to a study presented yesterday at the Pediatric Academic Societies Annual Meeting.

28 Apr 2015

Proviso Partners for Health awarded IHI grant to improve community health

The Proviso Partners for Health was awarded a grant from the Institute of Healthcare Improvement to support their efforts to improve community health. Proviso Partners for Health is comprised of Loyola University Health System, Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine and Marcella Niehoff School of Nursing as well as Proviso-Leyden Council for Community Action, Proviso East High School, Triton College, Cook County Department of Public Health and several other community organizations.

25 Apr 2015

Montefiore and Einstein researchers to present new findings on neurological disorders at AAN 2015

Researchers from Montefiore Health System and Albert Einstein College of Medicine will present new findings on how to effectively treat migraine, and forecast the onset of pain in a number of neurological conditions including dementia in older adults.

21 Apr 2015

Research: LGBT individuals more likely than heterosexuals to avoid medical care

Research has shown that, for a number of reasons, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people are significantly more likely than heterosexuals to avoid or delay medical care.

21 Apr 2015

UAB research findings may lead to better treatment for women with HER2+ breast cancer

There are five subtypes of breast cancer, and they are distinct diseases with vastly different biologies that drastically alter their progression and responses to treatment. Understanding those differences is the starting point to a more effective, personalized treatment of breast cancer, which strikes more than 230,000 women in the U.S. each year.

16 Apr 2015

Racial and ethnic minority groups face disproportionate rates of smoking, health-related illnesses

April is National Minority Health Month, and one of the most significant health issues minorities face is disproportionate rates of smoking and health-related illnesses.

16 Apr 2015

Study investigates health outcomes of Medicare beneficiaries enrolled in MA plans at member-level

Inovalon, a leading technology company providing advanced cloud-based analytics and data-driven intervention platforms to the healthcare industry and the Special Needs Plan (SNP) Alliance, released today the largest analysis ever performed on dual eligible quality outcomes, entitled "An Investigation of Medicare Advantage Dual Eligible Member-Level Performance on the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Five-Star Quality Measures."

31 Mar 2015

Study: Mexican Americans spend high proportion of their later years with disability

Life expectancy for Hispanics in the U.S. currently outpaces other ethnic groups, yet a new study finds that Mexican Americans -- especially women who were born in Mexico -- are spending a high proportion of their later years with some form of disability, a fact that suggests a growing need for community assistance and long-term care in the future.

30 Mar 2015

Experimental nanoparticle therapy speeds healing of all sorts of wounds

An experimental therapy developed by researchers at Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University cut in half the time it takes to heal wounds compared to no treatment at all. Details of the therapy, which was successfully tested in mice, were published online in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology.