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.

Chemical "signature" in blood may predict which AML patients would benefit from chemotherapy

Researchers at Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University and Montefiore Medical Center have found a chemical "signature" in blood-forming stem cells that predicts whether patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) will respond to chemotherapy.

4 Feb 2014

State highlights: N.Y. insurer will reinstate young adult coverage

A selection of health policy stories from New York, California, Virginia, South Carolina, Connecticut, Florida, Kansas, Minnesota, Michigan, Georgia and Colorado.

31 Jan 2014

Center for Health Program Management announces grant to implement Positive Youth Justice Initiative

The Center for Health Program Management, and funding partners Sierra Health Foundation, The California Endowment and The California Wellness Foundation announced that $1.6 million in grant funding has been awarded to four counties to implement an innovative approach to juvenile justice reform known as the Positive Youth Justice Initiative.

30 Jan 2014

Gap continues to grow between urban and rural residents in life expectancy

Reducing health inequalities and increasing life expectancy in the United States have both been primary goals of the national health initiative, Healthy People 2020. Unfortunately, according to a new study in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, over a 40-year period, rural residents have experienced smaller gains in life expectancy than their urban counterparts and the gap continues to grow.

24 Jan 2014

State highlights: Minn. improves hospital safety

A selection of health policy news from Minnesota, Georgia, Kansas, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Iowa and Virginia.

24 Jan 2014

UTSA and Health Science Center receive grant to prevent substance abuse, HIV/AIDS transmission among young adults

The UTSA Institute for Health Disparities Research in the College of Liberal and Fine Arts and The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio Division of Community Pediatrics have been awarded $900,000 in funding from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Center for Substance Abuse Prevention (CSAP) for a collaborative project between a Minority-Serving Institution and Community-Based Organization(s) to prevent and reduce Substance Abuse (SA) and HIV/AIDS transmission among young adults.

24 Jan 2014

Study examines direct and indirect costs associated with health inequalities for minority men in the U.S.

African-American men incurred $341.8 billion in excess medical costs due to health inequalities between 2006 and 2009, and Hispanic men incurred an additional $115 billion over the four-year period, according to a new study by researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. The study, published this week in the International Journal of Men's Health, looks at the direct and indirect costs associated with health inequalities and projects the potential cost savings of eliminating these disparities for minority men in the U.S.

23 Jan 2014

Study identify key barriers associated with lack of cancer screenings in Appalachian women

A new study by University of Kentucky researchers shows that women who never or rarely screen for breast cancer are also unlikely to receive screening for cervical cancer. The study also identified four key barriers independently associated with the lack of these cancer screenings in Appalachian women.

23 Jan 2014

State highlights: R.I. Gov. plans $43M in Medicaid cuts; N.M. judge rules in favor of 'aid to dying'; long-term care protections still awaited in Mass.

A selection of health policy stories from Rhode Island, California, Massachusetts, Virginia, Florida, Wisconsin, Missouri and Minnesota.

22 Jan 2014

Researchers find that uninsured patients are less likely to be transferred to another hospital

Uninsured patients with a variety of common medical diagnoses are significantly less likely to be transferred between hospitals for treatment, according to a new study led by researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine in collaboration with researchers at the University of Iowa and University of Toronto.

20 Jan 2014

Research shows how coevolution between humans and bacteria can affect gastric cancer risk

Research carried out in two distinct communities in Colombia illustrates how coevolution between humans and bacteria can affect a person's risk of disease. Working with colleagues in Columbia and the U.S., Scott Williams, PhD, a professor of genetics at the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, and his graduate student Nuri Kodaman discovered that the risk of developing gastric cancer depends heavily on both the ancestry of the person and the ancestry of Helicobacter pylori with which that person is infected.

15 Jan 2014

Hepatitis C infection varies widely among different Hispanic groups in the U.S.

The first study of hepatitis C infection among different Hispanic groups in the U.S. has found that infection with the virus varies widely, with Puerto Rican Hispanics much more likely than other groups to be infected. The study, led by researchers at Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University, highlights which Hispanic populations would benefit most from increased hepatitis C testing and treatment.

15 Jan 2014

Study finds link between common beliefs and e-cigarette use among young adults

Despite years of anti-smoking education and legislation, tobacco use still remains an important public health issue in the United States. In 2010, 25.2% of all adults and 35.6% of young adults reported current tobacco use.

7 Jan 2014

Study identifies strategy to help women climb the academic ladder

More women are choosing science careers, yet women are notoriously underrepresented in senior academic positions—often because they abandon their careers due to pessimism about advancement. New research suggests that putting more women in decision-making roles on the teams that organize symposia could offer a simple, effective step forward.

7 Jan 2014

HMHB's new infographic provides guidance on folic acid consumption for children ages 0-13

National Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition (HMHB), a recognized leader and resource in maternal and child health, in partnership with TJL Enterprises, makers of innovative natural health products for families, today released a new informational graphic that provides clinical guidance about the vitamin folic acid, and the recommended consumption for children ages 0-13.

6 Jan 2014

University of Illinois Hospital & Health Sciences System to open new Mile Square Health Center

The University of Illinois Hospital & Health Sciences System will open the doors to a new Mile Square Health Center Jan. 6.

5 Jan 2014

UC Davis docs find a way to create "movies" of wrist in motion using magnetic resonance imaging scans

If a picture is worth 1,000 words then a movie is worth far more, especially when it comes to diagnosing wrist problems.

3 Jan 2014

Penn researchers receive PCORI awards to develop, expand health data network for patients, researchers

Two teams led by researchers in the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania have been approved for funding awards by the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI).

31 Dec 2013

Minority physicians play large role in caring patients with poorer health, study finds

Black, Hispanic and Asian physicians play an outsized role in the care of disadvantaged patients nationally. Patients who have low incomes, are from racial and ethnic minority backgrounds, have Medicaid insurance, or who do not speak English - groups that historically have difficulty in accessing medical care - are substantially more likely to receive their care from a minority physician, according to a new study appearing online in today's [Dec. 30] issue of the journal JAMA Internal Medicine.

30 Dec 2013

Support from lactation consultant improves chances of breastfeeding

In two separate clinical trials, researchers at Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University have found that periodic meetings with a lactation consultant encourages women traditionally resistant to breastfeeding to do so, at least for a few months-long enough for mother and child to gain health benefits. The results of the trials were published online today in American Journal of Public Health.

28 Dec 2013

Health Disparities News and Research

Further Reading

Chemical "signature" in blood may predict which AML patients would benefit from chemotherapy

State highlights: N.Y. insurer will reinstate young adult coverage

Center for Health Program Management announces grant to implement Positive Youth Justice Initiative

Gap continues to grow between urban and rural residents in life expectancy

State highlights: Minn. improves hospital safety

UTSA and Health Science Center receive grant to prevent substance abuse, HIV/AIDS transmission among young adults

Study examines direct and indirect costs associated with health inequalities for minority men in the U.S.

Study identify key barriers associated with lack of cancer screenings in Appalachian women

State highlights: R.I. Gov. plans $43M in Medicaid cuts; N.M. judge rules in favor of 'aid to dying'; long-term care protections still awaited in Mass.

Researchers find that uninsured patients are less likely to be transferred to another hospital

Research shows how coevolution between humans and bacteria can affect gastric cancer risk

Hepatitis C infection varies widely among different Hispanic groups in the U.S.

Study finds link between common beliefs and e-cigarette use among young adults

Study identifies strategy to help women climb the academic ladder

HMHB's new infographic provides guidance on folic acid consumption for children ages 0-13

University of Illinois Hospital & Health Sciences System to open new Mile Square Health Center

UC Davis docs find a way to create "movies" of wrist in motion using magnetic resonance imaging scans

Penn researchers receive PCORI awards to develop, expand health data network for patients, researchers

Minority physicians play large role in caring patients with poorer health, study finds

Support from lactation consultant improves chances of breastfeeding

Achieving and maintaining ISO/IEC 27001 and BS 10012 certifications

Expanding research and clinical options for children with cancer

Examining how pain could play a direct protective role in the gut

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