Heart transplant patients from socioeconomically deprived areas face higher risk for postoperative complications, earlier death than others

Heart transplant patients who live in socioeconomically disadvantaged areas are more likely to experience post-surgical complications and die within five years than patients who live in more advantaged areas, even when those patients were transplanted at topnotch high-volume hospitals.

26-Year-Old Ph.D. Candidate Diagnosed With Rare Form of Breast Cancer – Two Separate Tumors in Different Breast Quadrants

LaShae Rolle, a Ph.D. candidate was just 26 when she was diagnosed with a rare type of breast cancer. She is now designing clinical trials and studies focused on underserved and marginalized minority communities – especially adolescents and young adults.

Widespread disparities exist in treating advanced cancers

A study led by researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center reveals significant disparities across the country in the use of immunotherapy for patients with advanced kidney and bladder cancers.

MD Anderson recognizes outstanding faculty

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center last night recognized over 100 faculty members at its annual Celebration of Faculty Excellence awards ceremony, acknowledging their compassionate care, exceptional contributions to their fields and the distinction they have brought to the institution.

NIH Awards Wake Forest University School of Medicine $28.2 Million to Accelerate Translation of Scientific Discoveries

Wake Forest University School of Medicine’s Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI) has been awarded $28.2 million from the National Institutes of Health. The seven-year award is the medical school’s third Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA), which is designed to accelerate the translation of research discoveries to improve patient care.

Superar las barreras quirúrgicas en áreas de bajos recursos

Hasta la mitad de las personas con epilepsia resistente a los medicamentos (ERD) pueden beneficiarse de la cirugía. Sin embargo, en muchas regiones de bajos recursos, el establecimiento de un programa quirúrgico requiere enfrentar múltiples desafíos.

Socioeconomic Disparities Linked to Delayed Craniosynostosis Care

New research led by Children’s Hospital Los Angeles has found that racial and socioeconomic disparities contribute to delayed care for craniosynostosis—a rare birth defect that occurs when a baby’s skull bones close too early.In the study, being Black/African American, having public insurance and living in an economically disadvantaged area were all risk factors for presenting for a first consultation at older ages.

Cedars-Sinai’s Chief Health Equity Officer Available for Interviews During AHA Health Equity Conference

Cedars-Sinai’s chief health equity officer will be available for interviews during the American Hospital Association: Accelerating Health Equity Conference, May 7-9 in Kansas City.

New breast cancer screening recommendations aim to address health inequities, especially among Black women

Challenges remain in ensuring equitable access to screening and addressing gaps in evidence regarding supplemental screening modalities and the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, notes Joann Elmore, MD, MPH, a professor of medicine at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA in a newly published editorial in JAMA.

Patients With Obesity and Kidney Failure May Be Newly Eligible for Kidney Transplants

A collaborative study between a bariatric and transplant surgery team has introduced new hope for patients suffering from end-stage renal disease (ESRD) who are also struggling with obesity. The study authors explored the outcomes of metabolic and bariatric surgery in ESRD patients and whether the surgery can improve their eligibility for kidney transplants. The findings are published in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons (JACS).

Review offers strategies for mitigating racial and ethnic disparities in health care algorithms

A review of 63 studies related to health care algorithms found that use of these algorithms can mitigate, exacerbate, or not impact racial and ethnic disparities at all. The authors offer several strategies for health care systems to implement to mitigate these effects. The review is published in Annals of Internal Medicine.

Study Underscores Social Factors of Low Breast Cancer Screening in the U.S.

To identify major social factors hindering breast cancer screening in U.S. women aged 40 and older, researchers focused on race/ethnicity, employment, education, food security, insurance status, housing and access to quality health care. Access to health care emerged as a statistically significant theme (61 percent) and insurance status was the most reported sub-categorical factor. Language was the third highest issue, highlighting its significance as an influential factor of screening behavior. Race/ethnicity, sex/gender and sexual orientation were additional factors reported.

Geographic disparities in access to addiction treatment medication may be linked to race, ethnicity

Buprenorphine, a life-saving medication for opioid use disorder, is far less accessible in geographic areas of the United States with racially and ethnically diverse populations than in predominantly white areas, according to a new study of pre-pandemic data led by health policy scientists at the University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health published today in Journal of Addiction Medicine.

BIPOC individuals bear greater post-COVID health burdens, new research suggests

Black, indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) who were infected with COVID-19 experienced greater negative aftereffects in health and work loss than did similarly infected white participants, new research finds.

Expert Analysis: Black Americans Have Highest Cancer Mortality Rates In The United States

For Black History Month, Hackensack Meridian Health offers experts on some of the reasons behind higher cancer rates in the Black community and how to reverse the trends.

Study Uncovers Barriers to Mammography Screening Among Black Women

The study finds utilization of annual screening mammograms suboptimal among low-income Black women with several reported perceived and actual barriers. Most had a low breast cancer risk perception. Interestingly, participants perceived mammograms as very beneficial: 80 percent believed that ‘if breast cancer is found early, it’s likely that the cancer can be successfully treated;’ 90 percent indicated that ‘having a mammogram could help find breast cancer when it is first getting started.’

RUSH and UChicago Medicine Expand Racial Health Equity Reporting Tool Nationally

Chicago health systems RUSH and UChicago Medicine are making available a free self-assessment tool that uses a race-conscious approach to help hospitals benchmark health equity efforts for all patients. Created after the COVID 19 pandemic revealed disproportionate racial and ethnic mortality rates, the effort is supported by a Commonwealth Fund grant and was piloted at hospitals across Illinois.

Sylvester Researchers, Collaborators Seek Answers to Prostate, Breast Cancer Among People of African Ancestry

Cancer Disparities: A new African Cancer Genome Registry at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center in Miami seeks to find reasons for higher prostate and breast cancer rates in people of African ancestry. Dr. Sophia George, co-principal investigator, is available for interviews, as are two breast and prostate cancer study participants.

Bar-Ilan University study reveals disparity in quality of life among COVID-19 survivors from different ethnic groups

A new study conducted by researchers at Bar-Ilan University in Israel has shed light on the long-term impact of COVID-19 on the quality of life among different ethnic groups in the country. The study, part of a larger cohort project, highlights a significant discrepancy between Arabs and Druze, and Jews, with the two former groups experiencing a more pronounced decline in quality of life one year after infection.

UCSF Internal Medicine Specialist to be Celebrated for Diabetes Epidemiology Research

Alka M. Kanaya, MD, UC San Francisco primary care physician and researcher, is being recognized with the 2023 Kelly West Award for Outstanding Achievement in Epidemiology from the American Diabetes Association (ADA). The award recognizes significant contributions to the field of diabetes epidemiology.

ASCO23: Sylvester Cancer Experts Available for Interviews on a Wide Range of Topics

In addition to presenting Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center research findings, Sylvester experts are available at ASCO to share perspectives on a wide variety of topics and studies ranging from breast cancer to sarcoma, prostate cancer, mesothelioma, melanoma, CNS tumors and more.

Pride Month: Penn Nursing Experts Available to Discuss LGBTQ+ Issues

Topics Include: Eidos LGBTQ+ Health Initiative, Policy, HIV/AIDS, Sex Communication, Mental Health, Disparities, PrEP, Workplace Inclusion  Experts Available Via Virtual/Phone/Email Interviews The Eidos LGBTQ+ Health Initiative at the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing cultivates and engages emerging and experienced…

Soutenir les personnes atteintes d’épilepsie aves des outils pour réduire la stigmatisation

La stigmatisation affecte tous les aspects des soins de l’épilepsie, du diagnostic au traitement en passant par la législation et aux allocations budgétaires. Elle affecte la vie des personnes atteintes d’épilepsie lorsqu’elles n’ont pas un accès égal à l’éducation, à l’emploi et aux mêmes droits sociaux.

Asthma, COPD, Health Disparities Research, and Virtual Press Event: ATS 2023

We’re mere days away from the largest gathering of respiratory health professionals! You can still register to cover ATS 2023 in Washington, DC. Before you join us, here are some of the research abstracts that will be presented to this year’s gathering of pulmonary, critical care and sleep medicine health professionals.

Empowering people with epilepsy to lead the way in reducing stigma

Stigma affects all aspects of epilepsy care. It affects the lives of people with epilepsy when they are not given equal access to education, employment, and social opportunities. In a US study, one-third of respondents identified stigma—not seizures—as the most difficult part of living with epilepsy.

ATS Publishes Official Statement on Race, Ethnicity and Pulmonary Function Test Interpretation

The American Thoracic Society has issued an official statement for clinicians that explains why race and ethnicity should no longer be considered factors in interpreting the results of spirometry, the most commonly used type of pulmonary function test (PFT). The statement was endorsed by the European Respiratory Society. The full statement is available online in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.

March Tip Sheet From Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center

A new study reported in JAMA Network Open unveils disparities in Mesothelioma survival, a grant to help construction workers nail quitting smoking, a new AI algorithm that offers insights into deadly cancer, a newly launched Neuroendocrine Tumors Program, a cancer researcher chosen to co-lead Tumor Biology Program and more are in this month’s tip sheet from Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center.

‘Other’ race/ethnicity linked to higher suicide and overdose risk in military members with mild TBI

Previous studies have reported high rates of death by suicide and drug overdose – including opioid overdose – in military service members with a history of mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). A new study finds that those risks are highest among military members with mTBI who identify their racial/ethnic status as “Other,” as opposed to standard racial/ethnic categories, reports the March/April issue of the Journal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation (JHTR). The official journal of the Brain Injury Association of America, JHTR is published in the Lippincott portfolio by Wolters Kluwer.