Health Disparities - Science topic

Tele-dentistry has emerged as a promising solution to improve patient care and access to dental services by leveraging technology to conduct consultations and treatments remotely. This essay explores the impact of tele-dentistry on patient care and access to dental services, examining its effectiveness, challenges, and opportunities for the future...

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted and increased existing inequities in sexual and reproductive health service accessibility, with minority populations most affected. This meta-analysis investigates socioeconomic factors that heighten these disparities, such as income, housing, employment, and medical mistrust. Our comprehensive review aggregate...

Health disparities among racial and ethnic minority populations continue to be a significant challenge in healthcare systems worldwide. These disparities are often rooted in socioeconomic, systemic, and cultural factors that hinder equitable healthcare access and outcomes. Artificial intelligence (AI) offers the potential to predict health outcomes...

The rise in prevalence of cardiometabolic multimorbidity indicates the need for more research examining associated risk factors. Identifying multilevel risk factors is especially critical for U.S. health disparity populations who have been shown to experience a disproportionate burden of chronic disease-related morbidity and mortality. This study e...

Language is our primary tool for communication and a salient component of acculturation status among Hispanic populations. Importantly, language is associated with behavioral health outcomes and can identify and confront health disparities among Hispanic adolescents. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association between adolescent langu...

Background Population health programs rely on healthcare predictive models to allocate resources, yet models can perpetuate biases that exacerbate health disparities among marginalized communities. Objective We developed the Bias-reduction and Equity Framework for Assessing, Implementing, and Redesigning (BE-FAIR) healthcare predictive models, an...

The increasing complexity of workplace environments necessitates advanced solutions for monitoring and managing occupational health risks. Traditional occupational health surveillance systems often struggle with inefficiencies, delayed hazard detection, and limited adaptability to dynamic workplace conditions. This study proposes the development of...

The 2015 policy to incorporate sex as a biological variable (SABV) enhanced biomedical research and allowed for better predictions to be made regarding clinical outcomes and environmental health risks. This review aims to make a case for the next SABV—stress as a biological variable. While the body is equipped to respond to acute stress, chronic st...

Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) play a crucial role in shaping individual and population health outcomes. Integrating SDOH data into Clinical Decision Support Systems (CDSS) has the potential to enhance patient care by providing comprehensive insights into social, economic, and environmental factors influencing health. This paper explores the...

Background: An initiative of the National Cancer Institute's Center for Cancer Health Equity (CCHE), TEAM supports trainees from backgrounds underrepresented in cancer biomedical and behavioral sciences research. CRCHD funded two TEAM programs at Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) in September 2023 following a competitive application process. Com...

This review paper analyzes telehealth applications to eliminate healthcare disparities within the United States when measured against COVID-19 pandemic requirements. The analysis focuses on how telehealth services achieved improved healthcare accessibility for racial and ethnic minority groups and rural populations as well as individuals with limit...

The COVID-19 pandemic has widened the gap in mortality between different population groups. While socioeconomic status has been shown to be an important determinant of mortality, the relationship between migration status and mortality risk remains unclear. The objective of this paper is to explain whether and why foreign populations had a higher ri...

Introduction: This paper explores the development of the Realist Implementation Action Research Lab (RIAL), a participatory learning site aimed at addressing health disparities among Adivasi communities in India. Despite national health improvements, Adivasis face significant health inequities. RIAL employs a realist-inspired, theory-driven design...

This literature review examines the multifaceted challenges and strategies related to health equity within public health initiatives. It highlights the critical importance of addressing structural barriers and historical injustices perpetuating health disparities among marginalized communities. Key strategies for improving health equity, such as co...

Introduction There is a higher proportion of African American care partners due to African American older adults having more than twice the prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD) compared with non-Hispanic white older adults in the USA. African American adult daughters are the largest group of care partners of African Americ...

Virtual focus groups were conducted in English and in French to gather community feedback on colorectal cancer screening education materials, designed for use among immigrant and non-immigrant Black/African-American men in New York City. Participants were recruited from community health fair events, religious and cultural organizations, and an exis...

Integrating Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) data into Clinical Decision Support Systems (CDSS) has the potential to enhance patient care by providing a holistic view of health influences beyond clinical factors. SDOH-such as socioeconomic status, education, environment, and access to healthcare-play a critical role in health outcomes. By incor...

Background There are several barriers to fulfillment of desired postpartum permanent contraception (PC). Prior research has primarily focused on the federal Medicaid sterilization policy as a barrier to PC; however, other barriers need to be examined. Objectives To explore the levels and intersections of barriers to postpartum PC that exist extern...

Background: People with disabilities on average experience health care barriers, poorer health and higher mortality.Objectives: This study aims to review and synthesise life expectancy (LE) and years of life lost (YLL) comparing people with disabilities to those without in low and middle-income countries (LMICs).Method: A systematic review was cond...

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) played a vital role in mitigating the pandemic’s effects on their communities. This study examines the impact of a linkage project implemented by the Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador Sede Esmeraldas (PUCESE), which utilized its clinical and molecular laboratory as a preve...

Migrants living in postindustrial countries are confronted with various socioeconomic challenges, including lower incomes, extended working hours, and lower occupational statuses than natives. Although health disparities linked to occupational positions have frequently been documented, they remain a relatively unexplored factor in the explanation o...

Maternal health among tribal women in India faces significant challenges, including high maternal and infant mortality rates, malnutrition, anemia, and inadequate healthcare access. This study examines the factors contributing to these health disparities, focusing on the experiences of tribal communities in regions such as Chhattisgarh, Odisha, and...

Effective communication is crucial in reducing health disparities. However, linguistic differences, such as African American Vernacular English (AAVE), can lead to communication gaps between patients and physicians, negatively affecting care and outcomes. This study examines whether large language models (LLMs), specifically GPT-4 and Llama 3.3, ca...

Introduction Health inequality, disparity, and inequity are critical global health challenges, particularly in low‐ and middle‐income countries (LMICs). Africa's healthcare systems have been profoundly impacted by these issues for decades, leading to severe and far‐reaching consequences. This rapid review aims to explore the concepts of health ineq...

Public health crises, such as pandemics, natural disasters, and environmental emergencies, disproportionately affect vulnerable populations, exacerbating existing health disparities. Effective crisis communication requires an interdisciplinary approach that integrates public health strategies, social work interventions, and marketing-based behavior...

Despite national initiatives to enhance healthcare accessibility, unmet healthcare needs in South Korea remain notably high, particularly in specific regions. This study investigated the factors contributing to geographical disparities in unmet healthcare needs by employing spatial regression models to examine the spatial interactions between healt...

Firearm carriage poses a significant public health challenge, especially for youth (ages 14–24) living in predominantly Black communities that endured racial and economic segregation. Structural racism is a determinant of fatal and nonfatal firearm assaults, but the influence of structural racism on youth firearm carriage has received limited atten...

Background ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI) is a critical condition, especially in the older population, who are at increased risk due to comorbidities and delayed diagnosis. This study aimed to investigate the impact of ethnicity on the clinical characteristics, treatment timelines, and outcomes of older patients with STEMI in southern I...

Background Community Outreach and Engagement (COE) teams at National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer centers are tasked with engaging communities to understand and address the burden of cancer within their catchment area. This helps cancer center leadership identify priorities and develop strategic plans to reduce the cancer burden...

The health disparities experienced by gender-diverse youth have not yet been adequately examined within specific pediatric populations, such as chronic pain. Furthermore, such disparities need to be examined within the context of the COVID-19 global pandemic, a time when clinicians observed an increase in gender-diverse patients seeking care for pe...

The rapid integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare solutions presents significant opportunities for improved patient outcomes, operational efficiency, and personalized care. However, this technological advancement also raises critical ethical considerations that must be addressed to ensure responsible implementation. This paper exp...

Background Access to a full range of contraceptive options ensures that individuals can make autonomous decisions about their health and wellbeing. Contraceptive continuity requires that individuals have access in their local communities to a variety of methods, which may change throughout their reproductive lives. Individuals living in rural areas...

Background The health of ethnic minority migrant women is a significant public health concern due to their relative vulnerability in comparison to men. However, there exists a paucity of research on the relationship between ethnic status and the health of migrant women in low-to-middle-income countries, such as China. The objectives of this study i...

Background Due to limited research on Asian Americans and COVID-19, we investigated the perspectives of Vietnamese Americans regarding COVID-19 vaccine acceptance, trusted sources of information, and pandemic-related challenges. Methods Vietnamese American adult residents in Texas were recruited between September 2021 through March 2022 to complet...

Racism is a modifiable determinant of health that permeates the practices, relationships and environments of the health sector. Having produced and maintained grievous health disparities and injustices for generations, racism has done harm to the wellbeing of communities that is well understood but under-acknowledged. Questions arise as to how raci...

Historical instances of medical racism and the impact of ongoing disparities are an understudied determinant of Black women's sexual health. Here, we use a Black feminist approach to engage Black women in a qualitative exploration of the impact of medical racism on their health-related decision-making. Specifically, we explore the question, how doe...

A persistent, yet often overlooked, public health crisis continues to affect many rural communities across the United States, where residents struggling with deindustrialization, depopulation, hollowed out public services, and climate disasters face stark inequities in health. Despite voting in large numbers for a right-wing, populist president, ru...

Purpose of Review Type 2 diabetes (T2D) disproportionately impacts minority populations. The National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD) developed a research framework to encourage health disparities research that considers a multi-level, multi-domain perspective. The purpose of this review was to describe evidence on the l...

In recent years, artificial intelligence (AI) has become more important in healthcare. It has the ability to completely change how patients are diagnosed, treated, and cared for. To make sure AI is properly supervised in healthcare, many problems need to be solved. This calls for a broad approach that includes policy, technology, and involving impo...

In the light of increasing global health challenges, integration of digital technology into public health emergency management has been seen as very essential for effectiveness in responses. However, response ineffectiveness due to its limited use in developing countries such as Nigeria results in inability to manage increasing preventable diseases...

In the light of increasing global health challenges, integration of digital technology into public health emergency management has been seen as very essential for effectiveness in responses. However, response ineffectiveness due to its limited use in developing countries such as Nigeria results in inability to manage increasing preventable diseases...

INTRODUCTION High levels of chronic stress and low social support have been associated with worse cognition among older adults, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. METHODS We included 2117 older adults (mean age 65.5 years) enrolled in the Health and Aging Brain Study – Health Disparities (HABS‐HD). Linear regression models evaluated the...

This chapter underscores the critical need to integrate social determinants of health (SDOH) into medical education, with a particular focus on food insecurity, poverty, and housing insecurity. These determinants profoundly impact health outcomes, perpetuate disparities, and place a significant burden on healthcare systems. By addressing these fact...

Purpose of Review This narrative review aims to synthesize global literature on the relationship between cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and components of built environment (green spaces, walkability, food environment, accessibility and availability of recreational and healthcare facilities, and effects of air and noise pollution). Recent Findings I...

Purpose Poor clinician-patient communication may contribute to racialized inequities in cancer symptom burden. Shared decision-making (SDM) enhances clinician-patient communication, and could contribute to health equity for Black patients with cancer. However, research on SDM is limited for Black patients with cancer. Methods This multi-method lon...

Purpose of Review Recent evidence suggests that transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis (ATTR-CM) is significantly more common than once believed, yet it remains frequently under- and mis-diagnosed. With effective treatments now available, early and accurate diagnosis has become critical for better patient outcomes. Understanding the interplay between ge...

This review summarizes how socioeconomic elements affect health outcomes while showing their critical nature for understanding inequalities in population health. The review investigates socioeconomic factors such as financial circumstances, education, working situations and levels of support to determine their effects on health choices and healthca...

Little data demonstrates the feasibility of place-based, neighborhood-level care delivered by health coaches in medically underserved neighborhoods to expand access to essential primary care and address health disparities. This concurrent mixed-methods pilot study describes experience with the innovative Neighborhood Health Hub Program in Memphis,...

Background The internal migrant populations in China have contributed significantly to the country's social and economic landscape, yet health disparities among migrants remain a pressing concern. Social integration is considered a critical factor influencing health outcomes, but evidence on this relationship is fragmented. This systematic review a...

Background Individuals in rural areas consistently demonstrate higher mortality and morbidity rates, and poorer access to healthcare, compared to their metropolitan counterparts. Optimizing the implementation of evidence-based interventions can reduce these inequities. Existing literature outlines numerous barriers and facilitators to the implement...

Introduction: End stage kidney disease (ESKD) affects an estimated 5500 persons living in the United States without legal residency documentation. One likely, but underappreciated cause of ESKD in the Hispanic migrant population, is chronic kidney disease of unknown etiology (CKDu). CKDu is an interstitial nephritis that disproportionately affects...

Background : Transgender and gender diverse (TGD) Veterans face significant health disparities, often exacerbated by provider stigma. The US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) prioritizes research to improve care for TGD Veterans. This study evaluates the feasibility and acceptability of the IDEAS - a film-based intervention designed to reduce pro...

Purpose Faith-based organizations (FBOs) have been recognized as a critical partner to reach underserved, marginalized populations in the U.S. for disease prevention and health promotion. FBOs have been successfully engaged to lower risk for leading causes of death, including cancer, but despite the proliferation of FBO cancer intervention research...

Health disparities have been associated with diet quality inequalities. Study objectives were to determine if race and/or income were associated with the diet quality of White and African American urban women and to compare core food and beverage categories consumed at eating occasions by diet quality within race and income groups. Two 24 h dietary...

Background Chronic illnesses (CIs) are increasingly prevalent among children/young people (CYP) globally. For migrant CYP with CIs, achieving a stable life in a new country can be particularly challenging due to additional barriers such as cultural and language differences, unsafe living conditions, and discrimination. While migration can sometimes...

Background : Antenatal care (ANC) is a cornerstone of maternal health and enables the early identification and prevention of complications. Despite global recommendations for at least four ANC visits, coverage in Malawi remains suboptimal, exacerbating maternal health disparities. Obstetric fistula, a severe and preventable childbirth injury, dispr...

Background Non‐Hispanic Black individuals have the highest odds of having a nulliparous term singleton vertex (NTSV) cesarean birth out of all racial and ethnic groups, but this disparity is not well understood. This study assesses the factors associated with overall rates of NTSV cesarean delivery, differences in reasons for cesarean births, and d...

Studies in the field of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have highlighted the underrepresentation of socioeconomically, culturally, and linguistically diverse (SCLD) groups in research as an area for growth towards reducing disparities in ASD care. Research outcomes are limited regarding relevance, generalizability, and utility for SCLD families, fur...

Purpose Maternal health outcomes in rural areas of the United States are persistently poor, with pregnant individuals in rural areas facing complex health care obstacles. Interventions adapted to the needs of rural patients are critical to mitigate worsening health disparities. To inform future efforts in this field, we conducted a scoping review,...

Long-acting injectable antiretroviral treatment (LAI ART) has the potential to transform HIV care and reduce HIV-related health inequities in achieving and maintaining viral suppression. However, without a plan for equitable roll-out of LAI ART, new pharmacological innovations in HIV treatment and prevention risk further deepening health disparitie...

This article investigates the synergistic relationship between Regenerative Finance (ReFi) and blockchain technology within the framework of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). ReFi, diverging from traditional financial models, emphasizes restoration and long-term sustainability, crucial for tackling global issues such as clima...

Background Endometrial cancer is one of the most prevalent gynecologic malignancies. Over the past three decades, its incidence has increased significantly, while mortality has decreased. These trends vary by age and race/ethnicity. Methods We obtained endometrial cancer incidence and mortality data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Resu...

Objetivo: Las mujeres transgénero (TGW, por sus siglas en inglés) experimentan importantes disparidades de salud y corren un riesgo desproporcionadamente alto de violencia, estigmatización y discriminación. El estigma y la discriminación son promulgados por el personal y los líderes en múltiples sectores públicos y de servicios, incluidos la vivien...

Objetivo: Las lesbianas, gays, bisexuales, transgénero, queer, intersexuales y las personas con otras orientaciones sexuales e identidades de género diversas (LGBTQI+) experimentan niveles más altos de aislamiento social y retrasos en las pruebas de detección, el diagnóstico y el tratamiento del cáncer en comparación con sus contrapartes no LGBTQI+...

The urgency for climate action is recognized by international government and healthcare organizations, including the United Nations (UN) and World Health Organization (WHO). Climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution negatively impact all life on earth. All populations are impacted but not equally; the most vulnerable are at highest risk, an...

Está bien documentado que las personas de minorías sexuales y de género enfrentan experiencias estresantes, como problemas en las relaciones familiares e incluso violencia física, con más frecuencia que las personas heterosexuales. En adición, está bien documentado el papel causal de estas experiencias estresantes en la deficiencia de sueño y el ro...

Objective Disparities in testing and treatment of pulmonary nontuberculous mycobacteria (P-NTM) warrant further investigation into language and race’s impact on treatment initiation. The objective of the study is to compare the length of treatment initiation for P-NTM patients assessed in the pulmonary and infectious diseases clinics through langua...

Objective Men who work in trade and labor occupations experience high rates of obesity but are underrepresented in weight control programs. This pilot study evaluated the feasibility and acceptability of a program tailored to this working group compared with a standard (untailored) weight loss program. Methods Participants for this study were recr...

Objetivo: Se cree que la estigmatización contribuye a las disparidades de salud que experimentan adultos gays, lesbianas, y bisexuales (LGB, por sus siglas en inglés). Sin embargo, pocos estudios han examinado cómo el estigma moldea la percepción y la respuesta al estrés diario según el grupo de orientación sexual, un importante mecanismo potencial...

Background: Poor housing infrastructure, displacement and limited access to healthcare exacerbate health inequities and have negative impact on the wellbeing of residents in conflict-affected areas such as Gaza. Aim: To explore the relationship between housing conditions and health outcomes due to the war in the Gaza Strip. Methods: Using a semi-st...

Background Evidence-based health promotion programs are commonly assessed within research environments, yet there is a critical need to understand how to implement interventions across multiple settings, prioritizing populations who are underserved and under-resourced. A possible approach involves leveraging established social networks to enhance h...

This study conducts a cross-sectional analysis of contraceptive beliefs in Nigeria, aiming to understand the sociocultural, religious, and educational factors influencing contraceptive use and perceptions among Nigerian women of reproductive age. Using data from the Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) and supplementary qualitative intervie...

This paper analyses the health status of immigrants in Italy, focusing on their citizenship status and the impact of both individual and macro-level factors on their health. We specifically investigate whether immigrants report different levels of health conditions compared to native-born individuals, using measures such as self-rated health, the n...

This paper explores how colonisation has shaped oral healthcare and oral health inequities across Indigenous populations globally. It highlights how colonial healthcare models, which prioritise Western medical paradigms, often marginalise Indigenous knowledge and practices. For Indigenous communities, such as Aboriginal Australians, Māori, and thos...

Objectives This review aimed to chart existing literature and identify gaps in the evidence base concerning palliative and end-of-life care perspectives and experiences among different generations of African migrants residing outside the continent. Methods This review adhered to a predefined protocol, utilizing the Arksey and O’Malley 5-stage fram...

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the leading cause of death globally, with a significant burden on the Asian and Central Asian populations. Ethnic discrimination is an emerging determinant of CVD risk, yet comprehensive analyses in these populations are sparse. This systematic review aimed to assess the association between ethnic discrimination an...

Few health-related constructs or measures have received a critical evaluation in terms of measurement equivalence, such as self-reported health survey data. Differential item functioning (DIF) analysis is crucial for evaluating measurement equivalence in self-reported health surveys, which are often hierarchical in structure. Traditional single-lev...

Introduction : In Zanzibar, the increasing prevalence of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) poses significant challenges to the healthcare system. This review aims to assess the epidemiology, risk factors, and existing preventive and management strategies for diabetes and hypertension in Zanzibar. Methods: This review was conducted in line with Prefe...

Background Alcohol use and hepatitis C virus (HCV) often coexist and are associated with cardiovascular disease. One of the underlying drivers is dyslipidemia. We assessed lipid and lipoprotein levels and the relationship between alcohol use and atherogenic lipid profiles, specifically small dense low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (sdLDL‐C), in L...

Background: Glaucoma, a leading cause of blindness, affects 76 million people worldwide, projected to reach 111.8 million by 2040. It causes 15% of global blindness, with 600,000 people losing sight annually. Risk factors include age, gender, education, income, and family history. In Kenya, glaucoma affects 4.3% of the population, accounting for 23...

Gender inequality remains a significant barrier to achieving optimal public health outcomes worldwide. Systemic disparities in access to healthcare, economic opportunities, and social determinants of health disproportionately affect women and marginalized gender groups, leading to increased morbidity and mortality rates. This paper explores the imp...

Purpose of Review To review data regarding the association between hypertension and childhood obesity on target organ damage. We will also review data regarding the impact of intervening on hypertension and childhood obesity on target organ damage. Recent Findings The prevalence of hypertension and obesity are rising in children despite efforts to...

Purpose of Review Despite growing recommendations for CMR utilization in heart disease evaluation, access remains limited by geography and socioeconomic status. In this review we discuss the role of CMR in addressing health disparities, review barriers to CMR access, and finally propose solutions to increasing CMR testing globally and in the U.S....

The forced migration of tens of thousands of refugee doctors exacerbates a phenomenon referred to as "brain waste". Based on the Arksey and O'Malley model, this scoping review conducted in SCOPUS, ProQuest, CINAHL, and ERIC via EBSCO examines three decades of peer-reviewed literature (1990-2022) on resettled Afghan and Arab refugee International Me...

Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is the most prevalent chronic liver disease globally, driven by rising obesity, metabolic syndrome (MetS), and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). This study evaluates the global, regional, and national burden of MAFLD-related diseases from 1990 to 2021 and projects future trends. Data were...

(1) Background: American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities faced disproportionate COVID-19 infection rates and a higher prevalence of substance use disorders (SUDs). Telehealth emerged as a key strategy to address these health disparities. (2) Objective: In response to a call to action from an urban Indian organization (UIO), our multidi...

INTRODUCTION In this analysis of cognitively unimpaired (CU) Hispanic participants from the Health and Aging Brain Study: Health Disparities (HABS‐HD), we aimed to identify the main predictor factors for cognitive performance and their relative importance (weight). METHODS The HABS‐HD is a community‐based longitudinal cohort study. Data from 952 C...

Objectives To determine if more strict state-level felony disenfranchisement laws, which are a form of structural racism, are associated with worse self-rated health, and if this association is stronger for Black women compared to white women. Methods Using Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) 2021, American Community Survey 2017–202...

Pediatric cardiac surgery is a highly challenging medical subspecialty requiring technical precision, adaptability, and extensive multidisciplinary support. Unlike adult cardiac surgery, which often addresses standardized acquired conditions, surgery for congenital heart disease (CHD) in neonates, infants, and children involves unique anatomical an...

The urgency for climate action is recognized by international government and healthcare organizations, including the United Nations (UN) and World Health Organization (WHO). Climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution negatively impact all life on earth. All populations are impacted but not equally; the most vulnerable are at the highest risk,...

The PEOPLE Centered Lab at UTHealth Houston sought to address a vacuum in research and identify appropriate preventive interventions. Semi-structured interviews, focus groups, and workplace observations were conducted with shrimpers in southeast Texas and the Rio Grande Valley (RGV) between April 2021 and September 2022 to examine their behaviors,...