Tag

Health Disparities

All articles tagged with #health disparities

health-and-wellness27 days ago•5 min saved

Half of U.S. Adults Could Be Obese by 2035, New Projections Show

A UW-led JAMA study analyzing NHANES, BRFSS and Gallup data (over 11 million participants) projects obesity will reach about 126 million American adults, or 46.9%, by 2035, up from 42.5% in 2022. The study highlights stark disparities by race, gender and state—Black and Latino women and Latino men are among the most affected, including in California—driven by systemic inequalities in food access and healthcare. California’s Medi-Cal changes reducing coverage for obesity treatment add a new barrier, while state policies and local initiatives are cited as efforts to slow the rise.

via latimes.com|

#california #health-and-wellness #health-disparities

health28 days ago•36 min saved

U.S. Obesity Set to Climb Toward Half of Adults by 2035, Study Finds

A University of Washington study published in JAMA projects that by 2035 nearly half of American adults—about 126 million—will be medically obese, up from 42.5% in 2022 and 19.3% in 1990, with pronounced racial, ethnic, and gender disparities across states (e.g., Black and Latino women projected near 60%). California may fare somewhat better but still faces widening gaps, highlighting the need for stronger school nutrition standards, active transportation, taxes on unhealthy foods, and expanded access to obesity treatments amid policy changes affecting Medi‑Cal coverage.

via Yahoo|

#california #health #health-disparities

health28 days ago•325 min saved

US life expectancy hits all-time high as overdoses and Covid decline in 2024

US life expectancy reached a record 79 years in 2024 as deaths eased toward pre-pandemic levels. Overdose deaths fell around 26% in 2024, with fentanyl’s share declining, and Covid-19 deaths diminished in the ranking of leading causes alongside heart disease and cancer. While the overall trend is positive, disparities by race/ethnicity persist and infant mortality remains a concern.

via CNN|

#cdc #covid-19 #health

health1 month ago•19 min saved

Chronic stress from discrimination tied to shorter Black lifespans, study says

A JAMA Network Open study links decades of stress from discrimination and economic hardship to higher inflammation, helping explain roughly half of the Black-White mortality gap and supporting the weathering hypothesis that systemic racism accelerates health deterioration.

via The Washington Post|

#discrimination #health #health-disparities

health1 month ago•6 min saved

Staying Highly Active in Young Adulthood Cuts Hypertension Risk in Midlife

A US study of 5,100+ adults over three decades finds that maintaining higher physical activity in young adulthood—about 5 hours weekly, double the current minimum—substantially lowers midlife hypertension risk, particularly if activity persists to age 60, while racial disparities show Black participants face steeper declines and higher hypertension, signaling the role of social factors and the need for early-life interventions.

via ScienceAlert|

#cardiovascular-health #health #health-disparities

health1 month ago•3 min saved

UK Prostate Cancer Now Most-Diagnosed Cancer, Spotlighting Screening Gaps and Inequities

A UK-wide analysis finds prostate cancer is now the most commonly diagnosed cancer, with 64,425 cases in 2022 (surpassing 61,640 breast cancers). The data reveal regional and demographic disparities: more late-stage diagnoses in Scotland, higher risk for black men, and a 29% greater likelihood of metastatic cancer in deprived areas, alongside ongoing debates over PSA screening and calls for targeted early-detection programs; the lifetime risk is about 1 in 8 men, with roughly 12,200 deaths annually.

via The Guardian|

#health #health-disparities #late-stage-diagnosis

health1 month ago•3 min saved

Cancer Survival Reaches 70% Benchmark, Sparking Optimism and Caution

The American Cancer Society reports that for patients diagnosed between 2015 and 2021, 70% survived at least five years, a dramatic rise from 49% in the 1970s, thanks to better treatments, early detection, and reduced smoking. Gains extend to previously deadly cancers (myeloma, liver, lung) and to advanced-stage disease, with an estimated 4.8 million cancer deaths prevented from 1991-2023. Yet rising incidence in several cancers and persistent disparities—Native Americans showing higher mortality—underscore ongoing inequities. With more than 2 million new cases expected in 2026, and policy funding cuts risking research progress, sustained investment remains crucial.

via Gizmodo|

#american-cancer-society #cancer #five-year-survival

health2 months ago•2 min saved

Scientists Reveal Hidden Alzheimer’s Hot Spots in U.S.

A statewide study in Maryland reveals significant gaps in Alzheimer's diagnosis and care between urban and rural areas, with rural communities facing higher mortality rates, limited hospital access, and a shortage of specialized healthcare providers, highlighting the need for targeted policy interventions to address these disparities nationwide.

via SciTechDaily|

#alzheimers #dementia-care #health

health3 months ago•1 min saved

Rising Premature Mortality and Medicare Disparities in the US

A study published in JAMA Health Forum reports a 27% increase in premature deaths among Americans aged 18-64 from 2012 to 2022, with significant disparities by race and location, highlighting that more people are dying before they can access Medicare at age 65.

via The Boston Globe|

#covid-19 #health #health-disparities

health3 months ago•3 min saved

Young Adults Experience Sharp Rise in Memory and Brain Fog Issues

Self-reported memory and thinking difficulties among U.S. adults, especially those aged 18-39, have increased significantly over the past decade, with higher rates among lower-income, less-educated, and minority groups, prompting calls for further research into social and economic causes.

via ScienceDaily|

#cognitive-disability #health #health-disparities

health5 months ago•3 min saved

NHS Urged to Rethink Prostate Cancer Treatment for Black Men to Prevent Epidemic

Campaigners urge the NHS to change prostate cancer treatment for black men to prevent higher death rates, advocating for earlier diagnosis, better community engagement, and systemic reforms to address health disparities.

via The Guardian|

#black-men #health #health-disparities

health5 months ago•3 min saved

Skipping Dental Visits Increases Risk of Major Diseases

A study from Tufts University highlights that nearly one in three young adults in the US skipped dental visits in the past year, mainly due to cost, lack of insurance, and social factors, emphasizing the urgent need to integrate dental care into overall health systems and address disparities to improve long-term health outcomes.

via Tufts Now|

#access-to-healthcare #dental-care #health

health5 months ago•5 min saved

India's Gender Disparities in Cancer: Rising Cases and Mortality Trends

In India, women are more likely to be diagnosed with cancer, but men have higher mortality rates, largely due to lifestyle factors, late diagnosis, and access to healthcare. The cancer burden varies regionally, with lifestyle and environmental factors playing significant roles, highlighting the need for targeted prevention and early detection efforts.

via BBC|

#cancer #health #health-disparities

health5 months ago•7 min saved

Top Concerns for Doctors About COVID Today

Doctors are concerned about rising COVID cases amid confusing vaccine eligibility rules, which may lead to decreased vaccination rates, especially among vulnerable children and underserved populations, potentially resulting in more severe illness, long COVID, and overwhelmed healthcare systems during the upcoming cold and flu season.

via HuffPost|

#covid-19 #health #health-disparities

health6 months ago•3 min saved

Education Gaps Accelerate Biological Aging, Study Finds

Research indicates that individuals with less education tend to age biologically faster than those with more education, highlighting education as a significant social determinant of health and ageing. Additionally, experiencing the loss of loved ones across life stages is linked to accelerated biological ageing, possibly due to trauma and stress. These findings suggest that social factors and emotional experiences play crucial roles in the ageing process, beyond lifestyle choices and genetics.

via The Mirror|

#biological-ageing #education #health