Tag

Structural Racism

All articles tagged with #structural racism

health2 years ago•4 min saved

"The Epidural Disparity: Understanding Why Black Women Receive Less Pain Relief During Labor"

A study found that Black women are about 10% less likely to receive epidurals during labor compared to white women, with both facing poorer obstetric pain management due to structural racism. Factors such as access to trained anesthesia providers, racial dynamics, cultural and religious beliefs, lack of information, and misinformation contribute to the drop in epidural use. Experts recommend patients to be informed about pain management options, discuss preferences with healthcare providers, and have support during labor, while advocating for their rights to informed consent and decision-making.

via Yahoo Life|

#epidurals #health #inequities

health2 years ago•3 min saved

Racial Disparities in Pediatric Healthcare Persist, Study Shows

Research published in The Lancet Child and Adolescent Health reveals that pediatric care for non-white children in the U.S. is universally worse, with children of color facing disparities in pain management, diagnostic imaging, surgical procedures, and wait times for care at the ER. The inequities are not attributed to lack of insurance and are rooted in structural racism, including unequal access to healthy housing and economic opportunities, policing disparities, and unconscious bias among health care providers. Policy recommendations to counteract these disparities include addressing social safety-net program eligibility and encouraging health care providers to check their own practices for biases.

via NPR|

#health #health-disparities #pediatric-care

health2 years ago•2 min saved

Alzheimer's Risk Higher in Older Hispanic People Compared to Whites, Study Finds

Older Hispanic adults in the US are 1.5 times more likely to have Alzheimer's or other dementias compared to their White peers, according to a report by the Alzheimer's Association. The study attributes the disparities to discrimination, structural racism, and socioeconomic factors rather than genetic factors. Health conditions like diabetes and cardiovascular disease are believed to contribute to the elevated risk of dementia among Black and Hispanic populations. The Alzheimer's Association has launched a public service campaign to raise awareness and improve access to diagnosis and care for the Hispanic population. Addressing these issues and conducting further research is crucial to reducing the risk of dementia in these groups.

via CNN|

#alzheimers #dementia-risk #health

health2 years ago•2 min saved

Heatwave Hazards: How Extreme Heat Accelerates Cognitive Decline

A study from New York University has found that extreme heat exposure may accelerate cognitive decline, particularly among vulnerable groups such as Black older adults and those living in poorer neighborhoods. The research suggests that cumulative exposure to extreme heat can lead to cellular damage, inflammation, and oxidative stress in the brain, depleting cognitive reserve. The study also highlights the role of socioeconomic disparities, with affluent neighborhoods having resources to cope with heatwaves, while disadvantaged neighborhoods lack such resources. Additionally, the study found a link between extreme heat and racial inequality, with faster cognitive decline observed among Black older adults, potentially due to systemic disadvantages caused by structural racism.

via The Independent|

#cognitive-decline #extreme-heat #health

health2 years ago•4 min saved

Alarming Rise in Maternal Deaths: Black Mothers at Highest Risk

Maternal deaths in the United States have more than doubled over the past two decades, with Black mothers experiencing the highest rates. A new study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association reveals that the largest increases in deaths were found among American Indian and Native Alaskan mothers. The study highlights the pervasive impact of structural racism and the need for improved health care access. The United States has the highest rate of maternal mortality among wealthy nations, with common causes including excessive bleeding, infection, heart disease, suicide, and drug overdose. The study calls for a comprehensive understanding of the root causes and community-based solutions to address this alarming trend.

via CBS News|

#health #health-care-access #maternal-deaths

health2 years ago•4 min saved

Rising Maternal Deaths in the US: Disparities and Alarming Trends

Maternal deaths in the United States have more than doubled over the past two decades, with black mothers experiencing the highest rates and American Indian and Native Alaskan mothers seeing the largest increases, according to a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. The study revealed significant disparities across states and racial/ethnic groups, highlighting the impact of structural racism and healthcare access. The U.S. has the highest rate of maternal mortality among wealthy nations, with causes including bleeding, infection, heart disease, suicide, and drug overdose. The study calls for action to address the root causes of these disparities and improve healthcare and social services.

via PBS NewsHour|

#health #health-disparities #maternal-deaths

health2 years ago•2 min saved

Study shows Black Americans experience significantly higher mortality rates than White Americans.

A new study published in JAMA Network Open found that excess deaths among Black people in the US increased in 2020, reversing years of progress in reducing the gap in mortality compared to White people. The study, based on death certificate data from 1999 to 2020, showed that Covid-19 contributed to the higher rate of excess deaths among Black people. Disparities in deaths from heart disease were the largest driver of differences in excess deaths between Black and White people. The study highlights continued disparities in mortality rates and potential years of life lost among Black and White populations in the United States, which are a function of structural racism in society.

via CNN|

#black-americans #covid-19 #health

health-inequity2 years ago•9 min saved

The Devastating Toll of Being Black in America: 2 Decades of Excess Deaths

Two new studies reveal that Black communities in America have experienced an excess of 1.6 million deaths compared to the White population in the past two decades, resulting in a loss of 80 million years of potential life and a cost of $238 billion in 2018 alone. The root cause of this health inequity is the unequal nature of American society, including access to quality schools, jobs with a living wage, housing in safe neighborhoods, health insurance, and medical care. The failure to achieve health equity in 2018 cost the nation $1.03 trillion, with most of the untimely deaths coming from the Black community. The leading causes of excess death and years of life lost include infant mortality, heart disease, and cancer.

via The Washington Post|

#black-communities #excess-deaths #health-disparities

health3 years ago•9 min saved

Black Women's Maternal Health at Risk in Texas

Black women in Texas face a higher risk of maternal mortality, with the state's maternal mortality rate historically hovering above or close to the US average. Expanding Medicaid coverage for mothers to a full year postpartum could significantly alleviate the crisis, but state lawmakers fell short of doing so during their last legislative session in 2021. The state's complete abortion ban, in effect following the US Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v Wade, places the lives of those who experience complicated pregnancies at unprecedented levels of risk.

via The Guardian|

#abortion-ban #health #maternal-mortality