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.

Study: Low SES is linked to high risk of depression in patients with RA

Physical and Mental Health Disparities Found in Those with Low Socioeconomic Position. A recent study confirmed that low socioeconomic status is associated with higher risk of depressive symptoms in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

26 Jan 2011

PPACA positively affects PA profession in many ways

The American Academy of Physician Assistants supports the many provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act that offer tremendous promise in improving health care for all Americans.

25 Jan 2011

HIMSS establishes new Latino Initiative to focus on health IT needs

With the Hispanic population as the nation's largest minority, HIMSS announces the establishment of a new HIMSS Latino Initiative to focus on health IT needs for the rapidly growing Hispanic/Latino market.

23 Jan 2011

El Camino Hospital introduces CHI program to educate Chinese community on health disparities

El Camino Hospital has launched a Chinese Health Initiative, designed to address the troubling and unique health disparities in the Silicon Valley's Chinese community and to accommodate their cultural preferences in education, screening and health care delivery.

19 Jan 2011

Infant macrosomia is a risk factor for postneonatal death among First Nations

High birth weight in First Nations babies are linked to a higher risk of postneonatal death, according to a study published in CMAJ.

18 Jan 2011

Australian rural healthcare ailing with lack of funds: Report

The latest data shows that Medicare paid out at least $670 million less in rural Australia in 2006-07 for GP and other primary health services than it has done for the cities. A total of at least $2.1 billion every year is short in the public health expenditure for rural regions compared to cities. Also there is a $500 million underspend in rural areas on the PBS, and at least a $1 billion shortfall on dental and allied health.

17 Jan 2011

Research roundup: Racial disparities in cancer and other care, nursing home closures, extending drugmakers' exclusivity

Journal of the National Cancer Institute: Projections Of The Cost Of Cancer Care In The United States: 2010-2020 - "By combining cancer prevalence with average annual costs of cancer care by phase of care and tumor site for 13 cancers in men and 16 cancers in women" and "all cancer sites combined," the authors project there will be just over 18 million cancer survivors in 2020 compared to 13.8 million survivors in 2010.

14 Jan 2011

Family physicians often uncomfortable in discussing IUDs with patients

Intrauterine devices (IUDs) for contraception are safe and effective, but only a small fraction of women in the United States use them.

13 Jan 2011

Scientist develops FMR1 genetic blood test for predicting IVF outcomes

A researcher at Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University has helped to develop the first genetic blood test for predicting the chances that in vitro fertilization will lead to a successful pregnancy.

13 Jan 2011

Digital medical records continue to trigger difficult issues

News outlets report on challenges associated with the push to go digital in the next five years.

12 Jan 2011

Increased amounts of MMP-1 enzyme may explain preeclampsia symptoms in pregnant women

Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine researchers have found that a significant increase of an enzyme in the blood vessels of pregnant women with preeclampsia may explain some of the symptoms associated with the condition, including hypertension, swelling and protein in the urine.

5 Jan 2011

Nanoparticles may help diagnose and treat pancreatic and ovarian cancer

The research - carried out by a group of five institutions, including Einstein, that comprise the Texas Center for Cancer Nanomedicine - could lead to novel ways to diagnose and treat pancreatic and ovarian cancer using nanoparticles.

4 Jan 2011

Researchers find 37° C body temperature is warm enough to ward off fungal infection

Two researchers at Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University have found that our 98.6° F (37° C) body temperature strikes a perfect balance: warm enough to ward off fungal infection but not so hot that we need to eat nonstop to maintain our metabolism.

23 Dec 2010

Exercise and Vitamin D supplementation most effective in reducing fall among seniors

A systematic review of over 50 clinical trials finds that exercise and Vitamin D supplements are the best ways to reduce the risk of falling in people aged 65 and over. The review is published in the December 21 issue of Annals of Internal Medicine and was commissioned by the US Preventive Services Task Force.

22 Dec 2010

Recent study finds racial and ethnic minority smokers of menthol cigarettes have lower quit rate

Menthol cigarettes may be harder to quit, particularly for some teens and African-Americans, who have the highest menthol cigarette use, according to a study by a team of researchers.

21 Dec 2010

Determinants of health have stronger impact on Canadians' health than healthy lifestyle

A report released today by the Health Council of Canada declares that unless governments change their approach to addressing the needs of poorer and socially disadvantaged Canadians, we are destined to continue to spend large amount of dollars on our health care system. Governments must expand their approach to health promotion in order to tackle the major societal factors that lead to poor health and to take pressure off health care budgets.

16 Dec 2010

African American patients less likely to receive medications for parkinsonian symptoms

African American patients and those with lower socioeconomic status have more advanced disease and greater disability when they seek treatment from Parkinson's disease specialists, according to a study from the University of Maryland School of Medicine.

14 Dec 2010

ACCESS receives $6.7M NIH Clinical and Translational Science Award

Access Community Health Network (ACCESS) has received a $6.7 million Clinical and Translational Science Award grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to construct a community-based research center. The goal of the center's research will be to engage the community and reduce racial and ethnic disparities in health care.

14 Dec 2010

Researchers to study effect of resveratrol on impaired IGT in older prediabetic patients

Researchers at Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University have been awarded $600,000 from the American Diabetes Association to study the effect of resveratrol, a chemical compound most notably found in red wine and grapes, on impaired glucose tolerance in older adults.

9 Dec 2010

New Hora de Hablar CARDIO program launched to help better manage heart health

An innovative new program, Hora de Hablar CARDIO – Creando la Atencion Real y Dialogo Inmediato en la Oficina, launched today to encourage patients and health care professionals to actively partner to help better manage heart health through more productive conversations during medical visits.

8 Dec 2010