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.

New report highlights racism's role in childhood asthma disparities

Systemic racism remains a significant challenge in efforts to address health disparities in childhood asthma.

1 Oct 2024

Research highlights negative brain health outcomes among LGBTQ+ individuals

LGBTQ+ people may be more likely to have negative brain health outcomes, including a higher risk of dementia and late-life depression, than people who are cisgender and straight, according to a study published in the September 25, 2024, online issue of Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

25 Sep 2024

Online microaggressions impact sleep quality in young Black women

A new study finds that microaggressions aimed at Black women online appear to harm the health of other Black women who see those microaggressions – even though the microaggressions are not aimed at them personally.

25 Sep 2024

New AI tool revolutionizes drug discovery for rare diseases

There are more than 7,000 rare and undiagnosed diseases globally.

25 Sep 2024

Sexual health symptoms associated with lower adherence to breast cancer therapy in Black women

Among patients with early-stage breast cancer treated with adjuvant endocrine therapy (AET), symptoms related to sexual health were associated with decreased adherence to treatment in Black women, according to results presented at the 17th AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved, held September 21-24, 2024.

21 Sep 2024

Affordable Care Act boosts colon cancer care for underserved groups in Pennsylvania

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) has led to increased guideline-concordant care for colon cancer among non-white patients, patients from rural areas, and patients from the most deprived neighborhoods in Pennsylvania, according to results presented at the 17th AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved, held September 21-24, 2024.

21 Sep 2024

Study links metal exposure to increased risk of atherosclerosis

Metal exposure from environmental pollution is associated with increased calcium buildup in the coronary arteries at a level comparable to traditional risk factors like smoking and diabetes, according to a study published today in JACC, the flagship journal of the American College of Cardiology.

18 Sep 2024

Underestimating health disparities based on self-reported data

A first-of-its kind analysis of data collected from England's annual health survey found that of the people who reported their health as 'poor', those living in areas of high deprivation are likely to have worse health than those living in the least deprived areas.

18 Sep 2024

Study uncovers ancestry-specific genetic links to multiple sclerosis risk

A landmark study has uncovered novel ancestry-specific genetic variants linked to multiple sclerosis (MS), offering new insights that could reshape treatment approaches for diverse populations affected by the disease.

17 Sep 2024

How nutrition and telomere dynamics shape beauty and aging in women

Research explores the intricate relationship between health, beauty, and aging in women, emphasizing the critical roles of telomere dynamics and nutrition in promoting longevity and vitality.

17 Sep 2024

Lower neighborhood opportunity linked to increased risk of preterm birth

A new study suggests that neighborhoods with fewer educational, health, environmental, and socioeconomic resources may increase one's risk for preterm birth and contribute to the racial gap in preterm birth in the Commonwealth.

16 Sep 2024

Understanding the social determinants of cardiovascular health in Asian Americans

Numerous social and structural factors, including immigration status, socioeconomic position and access to health care, contribute to differences in cardiovascular health and heart disease risk for Asian Americans, and these factors affect Asian ethnic subgroups in different ways, according to a new scientific statement published today in the American Heart Association's journal, Circulation.

16 Sep 2024

SARS-CoV-2 exposure stabilizes BMI in infected adults while others see shifts

Real-world study reveals how SARS-CoV-2 infection influences body mass index, showing stable BMI in infected individuals while unexposed and pre-pandemic groups saw changes.

16 Sep 2024

New survey highlights gaps in menopause knowledge and management

The Kinsey Institute at Indiana University, in partnership with leading sexual wellbeing company the Lovehoney Group and its Womanizer brand, has released early data from new nationally representative surveys exploring menopause knowledge, symptom management, medical care engagement, and health disparities among Americans.

16 Sep 2024

NIH funds new research to combat emerging viruses

Albert Einstein College of Medicine has received a five-year, $14 million per year grant from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) to participate in a broad national effort to develop "plug-and-play" vaccines and antibody-based therapies against a wide range of emerging viruses. The grant is part of NIAID's new Research and Development of Vaccines and Monoclonal Antibodies for Pandemic Preparedness (ReVAMPP) Network, which was announced earlier today.

14 Sep 2024

$3.5M grant funds major study on health disparities linked to childhood factors

In the United States, wealthy people live on average 10 years longer than poor people, and Black people can expect to live an average of 5 years less than White people.

11 Sep 2024

New screening tool assesses digital health readiness in diverse patient populations

In a new study published in JAMA Network Open, researchers at Thomas Jefferson University have developed a novel screening tool to measure digital health readiness, which will be critical in addressing barriers to telehealth adoption among diverse patient populations.

10 Sep 2024

Addressing physical inactivity and health disparities in low-income communities

A five-year, $5 million grant will allow researchers from UTHealth Houston and The University of Texas at Austin to test how community-level interventions can improve health and reduce disparities in low-income communities in Central Texas.

6 Sep 2024

Study explores link between food insecurity, gestational diabetes risk among American Indian and Alaska Native females

Food insecurity, defined as the lack of consistent access to sufficient food for an active, healthy life, has been exacerbated in Tribal communities by systemic anti-indigenous racism, including policies that disrupt traditional food practices and access.

5 Sep 2024

Study reveals geographic variations in cardiovascular risk for Chinese American immigrants

A new UCLA-led study found that cardiovascular disease risk among Chinese American immigrants increases with length of residence and varies by location in the U.S. The study, which leveraged data from the MESA (Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis) cohort, sponsored by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), observed the heart health of 746 Chinese Americans in both Los Angeles and Chicago over a period of roughly 18 years.

5 Sep 2024