Health Disparities

The detection of opportunistic infections in individuals newly diagnosed with HIV serves as an indicator of the gaps in awareness and timely testing for HIV.  Global initiatives have significantly enhanced early HIV detection. However, despite the strides, in many parts of the world, late diagnosis and the prevalence of opportunistic infections persist.   A retrospective study...

Incidence rate ratios as high as 14.2 among American Indian or Alaska Native females compared with non-Hispanic Whites Persistent disparities by race/ethnicity are seen in the incidence of tuberculosis (TB), according to a study published online April 2 in the Annals of Internal Medicine. Yunfei Li, Sc.D., from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health...

Authors say sharp increase in cardiovascular risk warrants more regular screening Postmenopausal changes may accelerate coronary artery calcium (CAC) progression in women, according to a study presented at the annual meeting of the American College of Cardiology, held from April 6 to 8 in Atlanta. Ella Ishaaya, M.D., from Harbor-UCLA Medical Center in Torrance, California,...

Caps are associated with reduction in insulin costs, mainly driven by patients enrolled in health savings accounts Insulin out-of-pocket (OOP) cost caps are associated with a reduction in insulin OOP costs, but no increase in insulin use, according to a study published online March 26 in the Annals of Internal Medicine. Laura F. Garabedian, Ph.D., M.P.H.,...

Second study shows low rate of SGLT2i prescribing even among patients with indications for therapy Pharmacy dispensing patterns for sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor (SGLT2i) and glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonist (GLP1-RA) medications show lower prescribing for minority patients; and the rate of SGLT2i prescriptions is low among patients with indications for therapy, according to two...

For infants born extremely preterm, redirection-of-care discussions occurred less often for Black, Hispanic infants For infants born extremely preterm, redirection-of-care discussions occur less often for Black and Hispanic infants, according to a study published online March 11 in JAMA Pediatrics. Jane E. Brumbaugh, M.D., from the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, and colleagues examined associations between...

A cohort study finds that histologic subtype is the main factor associated with survival disparities between Black and White uterine cancer patients. Survival disparities have existed between non-Hispanic Black and White uterine cancer patients for decades, with an increased likelihood of aggressive disease, recurrence, and death among Black patients.  A cohort study published in JAMA...

In a retrospective cohort study, racial disparities in the use of medications and interventions near end of life were observed among patients with advanced gynecologic cancer.  Palliative medicine improves outcomes in patients with gynecologic malignancies. Studies on palliative medicine in cancer have minimal representation from minority groups. A retrospective cohort study published in the journal...

Mortality rates generally highest for infants of Black and American Indian and Alaska Native non-Hispanic women There is variation in infant mortality rates across maternal race and Hispanic-origin groups and by selected maternal characteristics, according to the March 5 National Vital Statistics Reports, a publication from the National Center for Health Statistics. Danielle M. Ely, Ph.D.,...