Health Disparities News and Research

RSS

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.

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

New Jersey ranked last in efforts to control smoking and tobacco use by children

The Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, a coalition of public health organizations, has ranked New Jersey 51 in the nation, including Washington D.C., in protecting children from smoking and tobacco use.

27 Dec 2013

Periodic meetings with 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.

20 Dec 2013

Joint initiative aims to eradicate health disparities among communities of color in the U.S.

The world's first and largest group medical practice and one of the nation's premier volunteer service organizations of professional African American women are joining forces to eradicate health disparities among communities of color in the United States. Mayo Clinic and The Links, Incorporated have established a formal collaboration that aims to develop a more diverse health care workforce.

20 Dec 2013

Researchers receive Special Challenge Award to investigate role of high protein levels in prostate tumors

Cleveland Clinic, along with the National Cancer Institute, the University of Chicago and Thomas Jefferson University, are the recipients of a $600,000 Special Challenge Award from the Prostate Cancer Foundation (PCF) to investigate the role of abnormally high protein levels in prostate tumors.

18 Dec 2013

Illinois healthcare coalition receives $7M grant to establish research network to battle chronic illnesses

Governor Quinn today announced that a coalition of 20 health and hospital organizations from Illinois has been awarded an 18-month, $7million federal award to establish a clinical data research network.

17 Dec 2013

New UCSF-led study links obesity to development of chronic kidney disease

A new UCSF-led study of nearly 3,000 individuals links obesity to the development of kidney disease. The work also shows that, when properly measured, declines in kidney function are detectable long before the emergence of other obesity-related diseases such as diabetes and high blood pressure.

14 Dec 2013

Despite lower socioeconomic status, immigrants often in better health than their naturalized counterparts

Health disparities research has frequently focused on the "health immigration paradox", which finds that recent Latino immigrants are often in better health than their naturalized counterparts, despite lower socioeconomic status. Little previous research has focused on the health status of foreign-born people over the age of 50, who make up over a third of all immigrants.

13 Dec 2013

Boys who grow up in two-parent homes less likely to have high blood pressure as adults

In a study of African-American men, researchers from the National Institutes of Health found that boys who grew up in two-parent homes were less likely to have high blood pressure as adults compared to those raised by a single parent. Reported in the Dec. 12, 2013, issue of the journal Hypertension, this is the first study of an African-American population to document an association between childhood family living arrangements and blood pressure.