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.

HSET protein could help doctors identify aggressive breast cancers in African-American patients

African-American women who get breast cancer often get more aggressive forms of the disease and at younger ages than other women.

12 Dec 2013

Researchers uncover biological factor that may contribute to disparities in prostate cancer incidence

Researchers have uncovered a potential biological factor that may contribute to disparities in prostate cancer incidence and mortality between African-American and non-Hispanic white men in the United States, according to results presented here at the Sixth AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved, held Dec. 6-9.

9 Dec 2013

Low-income women less likely to receive breast cancer treatment

Women with interruptions in health insurance coverage or with low income levels had a significantly increased likelihood of failing to receive breast cancer care that is in concordance with recommended treatment guidelines, according to results presented here at the Sixth AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved, held Dec. 6-9.

9 Dec 2013

Study helps explain why survival gap persists for African-Americans with head and neck cancer

A team of scientists at Johns Hopkins and in Texas has identified a handful of genetic mutations in black Americans, in addition to some chemical alterations affecting gene activity, which may help explain why the death rate among African-Americans from the most common form of head and neck cancer continues to hover some 18 percent higher above the death rate of whites with the same cancer.

9 Dec 2013

Increased levels of protein HSET linked with worse breast cancer outcomes in African-Americans

Among African-American women with breast cancer, increased levels of the protein HSET were associated with worse breast cancer outcomes, according to results presented here at the Sixth AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved, held Dec. 6-9.

9 Dec 2013

People lack knowledge about efficacy of HPV vaccine in preventing cervical cancer

Knowledge about the efficacy of the human papillomavirus vaccine in preventing cervical cancer was lacking in the majority of survey respondents for whom the information would be relevant, according to results presented here at the Sixth AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved, held Dec. 6-9.

9 Dec 2013

Study: Ethnic groups with high prevalence of diabetes have high hepatocellular carcinoma rates

Diabetes was associated with an increased risk for developing a type of liver cancer called hepatocellular carcinoma, and this association was highest for Latinos, followed by Hawaiians, African-Americans, and Japanese-Americans, according to results presented here at the Sixth AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved, held Dec. 6-9.

9 Dec 2013

Silverlink, UnitedHealthcare recognized for increasing colorectal cancer screenings among minorities

Silverlink Communications, Inc., and UnitedHealthcare's program to increase colorectal cancer screenings among minority populations earned the companies a 2013 Outstanding Leadership in Population Health Award from the Care Continuum Alliance at the recent CCA Forum 2013.

6 Dec 2013

Another government shutdown possible in coming months, say majority of Americans in poll

Nearly two-thirds (65%) of Americans say it’s likely there will be another government shutdown in the months ahead as Congress continues to debate deficit and budget issues, according to a new national public opinion poll commissioned by Research!America and the American Society of Hematology.

4 Dec 2013

Study indicates that black neighborhoods have limited access to healthy foods

When it comes to health, you are what you eat, as the adage goes. But many Americans have little choice in the matter, with race being an even bigger determinant than poverty.

4 Dec 2013

Scientists investigate factors that influence choice of abused drugs

Prescription opioid abuse has reached epidemic levels in the past 15 years. Scientists investigating why people favor one drug over another have found that oxycodone and hydrocodone are the drugs of choice for 75% of opioid-dependent individuals.

3 Dec 2013

Study highlights unique barriers for African Americans with hypertension

For African-Americans who have hypertension, controlling their high blood pressure is critical to avoid serious complications. However, a history of racial discrimination and/or mistrust in their physicians often causes them to skip taking their necessary medication, finds a new study in the American Journal of Public Health.

27 Nov 2013

Study shows most corneal transplants have remarkable longevity regardless of donor age

Ten years after a transplant, a cornea from a 71-year-old donor is likely to remain as healthy as a cornea from a donor half that age, and corneas from donors over 71 perform slightly less well but still remain healthy for most transplant recipients, according to a study funded by the National Eye Institute (NEI) and led by the UC Davis Health System Eye Center and the University of Cincinnati Eye Institut

27 Nov 2013

Researchers receive $2.5M grant to study telephone-based approach to improve diabetes treatment outcomes

More than 25 million Americans have diabetes, yet as many as 60 percent of type 2 diabetes patients do not follow treatment plans prescribed by their healthcare provider and about 50 percent fail to meet treatment recommendations for control of blood glucose levels.

26 Nov 2013

High intake of sugar-sweetened beverages reports increased risk of endometrial cancer

Postmenopausal women who consumed sugar-sweetened beverages were more likely to develop the most common type of endometrial cancer compared with women who did not drink sugar-sweetened beverages, according to a study published in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research.

25 Nov 2013

High knowledge about HIV and risky sexual activity does not make teens more likely to get tested for HIV

Having high knowledge about HIV and engaging in risky sexual activity do not make high-school-aged teens more likely to get tested for HIV. Those are the findings of a new study by researchers at Montefiore Medical Center and Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University.

22 Nov 2013

Study: Patients staying on medications does not lower hospital readmission rates

A targeted effort to help high-risk heart failure patients stay on their medications did improve adherence to drug regimens, but had surprisingly little effect lowering hospital readmission rates, according to a study at Duke Medicine.

21 Nov 2013

New UI Health survey to identify unique healthcare needs of communities

The University of Illinois Hospital & Health Sciences System will begin a survey this month to identify the unique healthcare needs of the communities it serves -- from Humbolt Park and West Town in the north, to West Lawn and Englewood in the southern corners.

21 Nov 2013

Two drugs tested in larger trial fail to improve kidney function in patients with acute heart failure

Two drugs tested in a larger trial did not improve kidney function in acute heart failure patients, contrary to results of smaller studies. The results were presented today at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2013 in Dallas and simultaneously published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. Previous smaller studies showed that low-dose dopamine or low-dose nesiritide could improve kidney function and reduce fluid overload that is often present in hospitalized acute heart failure patients by increasing urine production.

19 Nov 2013

Age-friendly NYC wins APHA's 2013 Archstone Foundation Award for Excellence in Program Innovation

The American Public Health Association has recognized the vision and innovation of Age-friendly NYC with its 2013 Archstone Foundation Award for Excellence in Program Innovation. The award will be presented to Dorian Block, Manager of Age-friendly NYC, during the APHA's Public Health Awards Reception and Ceremony on Tuesday, November 5, 2013.

5 Nov 2013

Health Disparities News and Research

Further Reading

HSET protein could help doctors identify aggressive breast cancers in African-American patients

Researchers uncover biological factor that may contribute to disparities in prostate cancer incidence

Low-income women less likely to receive breast cancer treatment

Study helps explain why survival gap persists for African-Americans with head and neck cancer

Increased levels of protein HSET linked with worse breast cancer outcomes in African-Americans

People lack knowledge about efficacy of HPV vaccine in preventing cervical cancer

Study: Ethnic groups with high prevalence of diabetes have high hepatocellular carcinoma rates

Silverlink, UnitedHealthcare recognized for increasing colorectal cancer screenings among minorities

Another government shutdown possible in coming months, say majority of Americans in poll

Study indicates that black neighborhoods have limited access to healthy foods

Scientists investigate factors that influence choice of abused drugs

Study highlights unique barriers for African Americans with hypertension

Study shows most corneal transplants have remarkable longevity regardless of donor age

Researchers receive $2.5M grant to study telephone-based approach to improve diabetes treatment outcomes

High intake of sugar-sweetened beverages reports increased risk of endometrial cancer

High knowledge about HIV and risky sexual activity does not make teens more likely to get tested for HIV

Study: Patients staying on medications does not lower hospital readmission rates

New UI Health survey to identify unique healthcare needs of communities

Two drugs tested in larger trial fail to improve kidney function in patients with acute heart failure

Age-friendly NYC wins APHA's 2013 Archstone Foundation Award for Excellence in Program Innovation

Sensing a Healthier Future

Achieving and maintaining ISO/IEC 27001 and BS 10012 certifications

Expanding research and clinical options for children with cancer

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