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.

UCLA project to promote healthy nutrition and physical activity to curb obesity

Researchers at the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health and UCLA's Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center have been awarded a $20 million federal grant to further their innovative efforts to curb obesity, a global pandemic that has reached the level of a national crisis in the United States.

5 Oct 2012

Wage disparities could limit success of health-care reform

A national study has found that earnings over the course of the careers of primary-care physicians averaged as much as $2.8 million less than the earnings of their specialist colleagues, potentially making primary care a less attractive choice for medical school graduates and exacerbating the already significant shortage of medical generalists.

29 Sep 2012

Viewpoints: Obama, Romney pitch health care plans in NEJM

Because of you, America is blessed with the world's most talented health care professionals, who do a heroic job serving and saving our citizens. But for years you have faced a health care system that was increasingly fractured. ... But after a century of trying, a broad coalition of doctors, nurses, hospitals, businesses, AARP, and patients helped me sign into law the Affordable Care Act.

28 Sep 2012

Scientists discover 12 genetic markers for ED in prostate cancer patients after radiotherapy

In the first study of its kind, a research team led by Mount Sinai School of Medicine and Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University discovered 12 genetic markers associated with the development of erectile dysfunction (ED) in prostate cancer patients who were treated with radiation.

27 Sep 2012

AACR Conference on The Science of Cancer Health Disparities to be held from Oct. 27-30

The Fifth AACR Conference on The Science of Cancer Health Disparities will gather scientists, survivors and patient advocates to share the latest research on access to care, treatment and survival in minority populations.

26 Sep 2012

Dual cigarette and waterpipe users more likely to develop dependence, tobacco-related diseases

People who smoke both cigarettes and waterpipes - dual users - lack sufficient knowledge about the risks of tobacco smoking and are at considerable risk for dependence and tobacco-related diseases, such as cancer, heart disease and stroke later in life, according to findings of a new study by Virginia Commonwealth University.

26 Sep 2012

Alarmingly high rates of obesity and smoking found among Pacific Islanders

In the first study to detail the health of Pacific Islanders living in the United States, University of Michigan researchers have found alarmingly high rates of obesity and smoking.

24 Sep 2012

Latest research on stem cells discussed at Einstein symposium

The promise of stem cells seems limitless. If they can be coaxed into rebuilding organs, repairing damaged spinal cords and restoring ravaged immune systems, these malleable cells would revolutionize medical treatment. But stem cell research is still in its infancy, as scientists seek to better understand the role of these cells in normal human development and disease.

24 Sep 2012

UIC Hispanic Center of Excellence receives $3.4M HHS grant to address disparities in minority health care

The University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine has received a five-year, $3.4 million federal grant to address disparities in minority health care.

21 Sep 2012

Rural Americans more likely to be obese than city dwellers

A new study finds that Americans living in rural areas are more likely to be obese than city dwellers. Published in the National Rural Health Association's Fall 2012 Journal of Rural Health, the study indicates that residential location may play an important role in the obesity epidemic.

14 Sep 2012

American Psychological Association honors WSU researcher for contributions to aging

The American Psychological Association's Committee on Aging recently presented its Award for the Advancement of Psychology and Aging to Peter Lichtenberg, Ph.D., director of the Institute of Gerontology and the Merrill Palmer Skillman Institute at Wayne State University. Lichtenberg was recognized for his outstanding contributions to clinical geropsychology that integrate science, practice, education, public interest and public policy.

13 Sep 2012

Book shows how vitamin A deficiency affected millions of people throughout history

Lifting the shadow of death - Intriguing reading for specialists and the interested public alike. This book shows how vitamin A deficiency - before the vitamin was known to scientists - affected millions of people throughout history. It is a story of sailors and soldiers, penniless mothers, orphaned infants, and young children left susceptible to blindness and fatal infections. We also glimpse the fortunate ones who, with ample vitamin A-rich food, escaped this elusive stalker.

12 Sep 2012

Albert Einstein College of Medicine to educate faculty members and students on social media

Social media is increasingly popular but engaging in its proper use can prove confusing and challenging - especially in the medical and healthcare arenas. Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University has been awarded a two-year grant to educate faculty members and medical students on using social media appropriately and effectively.

11 Sep 2012

Health inequalities in Europe need action

Health inequality in Europe is resulting in huge social and economic costs to the region, and progress towards reducing health inequalities should be one of the main criteria by which the effectiveness of health systems and governments as a whole are assessed, according to a Review published in The Lancet.

10 Sep 2012

Viewpoints: Clinton's rousing support for Medicare, health law; Thalidomide and the struggle for an abortion; Arkansas health innovations

Clinton, once known for the strategy of "triangulation" between the parties, was among the speakers who answered Patrick's call. He assailed Romney and Paul Ryan for falsehoods on welfare and Medicare, dismantling one Tampa argument after another. Offering a vision of "shared responsibilities, shared prosperity [and] a shared sense of community," he stoutly defended Obama's health care law, student loan reforms, rescue of the auto industry, commitments to community colleges and job training, and budget proposals.

7 Sep 2012

ACOEM awareness campaign helps employers identify and respond to chronic diseases

The American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (ACOEM) today announced a yearlong awareness-building campaign intended to help employers identify and respond to chronic diseases that commonly impact worker health and productivity.

6 Sep 2012

Democrats to spotlight health care, abortion rights support at convention

Party leaders will be touting the health overhaul passed two years ago, as well as efforts to expand contraception coverage. In addition, the platform looks ahead at issues such as health disparities, public health and HIV, Politico Pro reports.

5 Sep 2012

Researchers identify several genetic factors linked to C-reactive protein

African Americans have higher blood levels of a protein associated with increased heart-disease risk than European Americans, despite higher "good" HDL cholesterol and lower "bad" triglyceride levels. This contradictory observation now may be explained, in part, by a genetic variant identified in the first large-scale, genome-wide association study of this protein involving 12,000 African American and Hispanic American women.

31 Aug 2012

Researchers discover new immune response mechanism during infection

Researchers at Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University have discovered a new "first response" mechanism that the immune system uses to respond to infection. The findings challenge the current understanding of immunity and could lead to new strategies for boosting effectiveness of all vaccines. The study, conducted in mice, published online today in the journal Immunity.

31 Aug 2012

Roundup: Brown's pension plan no panacea for Calif.; Personhood amendment won't make Colo. ballot

Even by the most ambitious forecasts, the plan Gov. Jerry Brown and fellow Democrats are championing to contain government worker pensions in California could leave state taxpayers awash in debt to public employees.

31 Aug 2012

Health Disparities News and Research

Further Reading

UCLA project to promote healthy nutrition and physical activity to curb obesity

Wage disparities could limit success of health-care reform

Viewpoints: Obama, Romney pitch health care plans in NEJM

Scientists discover 12 genetic markers for ED in prostate cancer patients after radiotherapy

AACR Conference on The Science of Cancer Health Disparities to be held from Oct. 27-30

Dual cigarette and waterpipe users more likely to develop dependence, tobacco-related diseases

Alarmingly high rates of obesity and smoking found among Pacific Islanders

Latest research on stem cells discussed at Einstein symposium

UIC Hispanic Center of Excellence receives $3.4M HHS grant to address disparities in minority health care

Rural Americans more likely to be obese than city dwellers

American Psychological Association honors WSU researcher for contributions to aging

Book shows how vitamin A deficiency affected millions of people throughout history

Albert Einstein College of Medicine to educate faculty members and students on social media

Health inequalities in Europe need action

Viewpoints: Clinton's rousing support for Medicare, health law; Thalidomide and the struggle for an abortion; Arkansas health innovations

ACOEM awareness campaign helps employers identify and respond to chronic diseases

Democrats to spotlight health care, abortion rights support at convention

Researchers identify several genetic factors linked to C-reactive protein

Researchers discover new immune response mechanism during infection

Roundup: Brown's pension plan no panacea for Calif.; Personhood amendment won't make Colo. ballot

Expanding research and clinical options for children with cancer

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

From Puberty to Menopause: Clue’s CEO, Audrey Tsang on the Power of Femtech

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