Health equity means ensuring everyone has a fair and just opportunity to live as healthy a life as possible. This...
Author Interviews, Mental Health Research, Race/Ethnic Diversity, University of Pennsylvania / 26.08.2025
Examining Intersectionality in Mental Health: A Broader Perspective on Inequities
Mental health is shaped by much more than individual experiences or biology. The social and systemic forces that surround a person—including their identity and environment—play a critical role in determining how they access care, the kind of treatment they receive, and their overall likelihood of facing mental health challenges. This is where the concept of intersectionality offers crucial insight.
Originally introduced by legal scholar Kimberlé Crenshaw, intersectionality highlights how overlapping social identities—such as race, gender, socioeconomic status, and disability—combine to influence a person’s lived experience. When it comes to mental health, this framework helps us better understand how multiple layers of disadvantage can magnify risks and create barriers to care.
Author Interviews, Mental Health Research / 25.08.2025
Declines and pronounced state-level variation in clozapine use among Medicare patients
[caption id="attachment_70390" align="alignleft" width="142"]
Maria Tan[/caption]
MedicalResearch.com:
Maria Y. Tian, MBS
Department of Medical Education
Geisinger College of Health Sciences
Scranton, Pennsylvania
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study?
Response: Schizophrenia-spectrum disorders are severe, disabling conditions that are associated with substantial economic burden. Approximately one-third of patients have treatment-resistant schizophrenia, which clozapine is the only evidence-based therapy for. Clozapine also provides unique benefits, including reduced suicide risk, aggression, and all-cause mortality. Despite this, it has historically been underutilized due to concerns over adverse effects, required blood monitoring, patient adherence, and limited clinician training. Previous research in Medicaid populations had demonstrated marked state-level variation in use, but little was known about prescribing trends in the U.S. Medicare system, which covers nearly half of individuals with schizophrenia. This study analyzed Medicare Part D data from 2015–2020 to assess national and regional trends in clozapine prescribing and to identify states with significantly different prescribing patterns.
Maria Tan[/caption]
MedicalResearch.com:
Maria Y. Tian, MBS
Department of Medical Education
Geisinger College of Health Sciences
Scranton, Pennsylvania
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study?
Response: Schizophrenia-spectrum disorders are severe, disabling conditions that are associated with substantial economic burden. Approximately one-third of patients have treatment-resistant schizophrenia, which clozapine is the only evidence-based therapy for. Clozapine also provides unique benefits, including reduced suicide risk, aggression, and all-cause mortality. Despite this, it has historically been underutilized due to concerns over adverse effects, required blood monitoring, patient adherence, and limited clinician training. Previous research in Medicaid populations had demonstrated marked state-level variation in use, but little was known about prescribing trends in the U.S. Medicare system, which covers nearly half of individuals with schizophrenia. This study analyzed Medicare Part D data from 2015–2020 to assess national and regional trends in clozapine prescribing and to identify states with significantly different prescribing patterns.
Author Interviews, Gastrointestinal Disease / 11.02.2025
Weill Cornell Study Finds Geographic Disparities in Access to Gastroenterologists due to Greater Demand for Services and Limited Number of Providers
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
[caption id="attachment_66492" align="alignleft" width="144"] Dr. Jesudian[/caption]
Arun B. Jesudian, MD
Associate Professor of Clinical Medicine Medicine
Weill Cornell Medical Center
Transplant hepatologist at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study?
Response: In recent years, the demand for gastroenterologists continues to increase due to an aging population, increase in the prevalence of gastrointestinal and hepatology diseases, updates in screening and surveillance recommendations, and advances in therapeutic techniques. In this study, we set out to examine geographic distributions of gastroenterologists in the United States.
MedicalResearch.com: What are the main findings?
Response: We found that on a national level, over 80% of the population lives within 25 miles of the closest gastroenterologist. However, 2,183 (69%) of the US counties do not have a practicing gastroenterologist, and 454 of the 1,167 metropolitan counties in the US do not have a gastroenterologist. Additionally, gastroenterologists in non-metropolitan counties tend to be older, with almost a third over the age of 65.
Dr. Jesudian[/caption]
Arun B. Jesudian, MD
Associate Professor of Clinical Medicine Medicine
Weill Cornell Medical Center
Transplant hepatologist at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study?
Response: In recent years, the demand for gastroenterologists continues to increase due to an aging population, increase in the prevalence of gastrointestinal and hepatology diseases, updates in screening and surveillance recommendations, and advances in therapeutic techniques. In this study, we set out to examine geographic distributions of gastroenterologists in the United States.
MedicalResearch.com: What are the main findings?
Response: We found that on a national level, over 80% of the population lives within 25 miles of the closest gastroenterologist. However, 2,183 (69%) of the US counties do not have a practicing gastroenterologist, and 454 of the 1,167 metropolitan counties in the US do not have a gastroenterologist. Additionally, gastroenterologists in non-metropolitan counties tend to be older, with almost a third over the age of 65.
Nursing, Race/Ethnic Diversity, Social Issues / 05.10.2024
Culturally Competent Nursing Care: Meeting the Needs of Diverse Patient Populations
[caption id="attachment_63758" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Source[/caption]
In today's increasingly globalized and multicultural world, providing culturally competent nursing care is essential to delivering high-quality healthcare to diverse patient populations. As the United States and many other nations become more diverse, nurses must be equipped to understand and address the unique needs of individuals from different cultural, ethnic, and linguistic backgrounds. Culturally competent care not only improves patient outcomes but also fosters trust, respect, and effective communication between healthcare providers and patients.
Source[/caption]
In today's increasingly globalized and multicultural world, providing culturally competent nursing care is essential to delivering high-quality healthcare to diverse patient populations. As the United States and many other nations become more diverse, nurses must be equipped to understand and address the unique needs of individuals from different cultural, ethnic, and linguistic backgrounds. Culturally competent care not only improves patient outcomes but also fosters trust, respect, and effective communication between healthcare providers and patients.
1. Understanding Cultural Competence in Nursing
Cultural competence refers to the ability of healthcare providers to recognize and respect the cultural differences that influence how patients experience illness, access care, and respond to treatment. For nurses, cultural competence involves a combination of knowledge, attitudes, and skills that enable them to deliver care that is sensitive to the cultural preferences, beliefs, and values of their patients. To be culturally competent, nurses must be aware of their own biases and assumptions and continuously educate themselves about the diverse cultural backgrounds of the patients they serve. This awareness helps nurses avoid making assumptions based on stereotypes, allowing them to deliver individualized care that meets the specific needs of each patient.
Addiction, Author Interviews, Health Care Systems / 25.05.2024
Thirty-fold state level prescribing disparities of naloxone to both Medicaid and Medicare patients
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
[caption id="attachment_61782" align="alignleft" width="150"] Srivastava Kodavatiganti, MBS[/caption]
Srivastava Kodavatiganti, MBS
Department of Medical Education
Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine
Scranton, PA
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study?
Response: Prescription and illicit opioid misuse and overdoses have continued to escalate in the U.S. with annual overdoses exceeding 110,000[1]. There was a substantial rise from 2013 to 2022 in the number of opioid-related overdoses due to synthetic opioids [2]. Even nonfatal opioid-involved overdoses increased 4% quarterly between January 2018 and March 2022 as observed by encounters by emergency medical services [3]. Although the eastern U.S. has been particularly impacted by fatal overdoses, annual increases have increased as of last year in the western states including in Nevada (+27.9%), Washington (+36.9%), Oregon (+38.6%), and Alaska (+45.9%). In contrast, other states have seen more modest changes (New Mexico = +1.3%) including decreases (South Dakota = -2.4%, Nebraska = -19.5%) [1]. These findings underscore the importance for understanding patterns in usage of prevention and treatment strategies.
Naloxone is an opioid antagonist which can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. This crucial lifesaving tool is administered as an injection or as a nasal spray. This study characterized the patterns of naloxone prescriptions in Medicaid patients from 2018 – 2021 and Medicare patients for 2019. State level differences were also quantified as the fold difference in prescribing between the highest and lowest states when correcting for the number of enrollees in each state.
Srivastava Kodavatiganti, MBS[/caption]
Srivastava Kodavatiganti, MBS
Department of Medical Education
Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine
Scranton, PA
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study?
Response: Prescription and illicit opioid misuse and overdoses have continued to escalate in the U.S. with annual overdoses exceeding 110,000[1]. There was a substantial rise from 2013 to 2022 in the number of opioid-related overdoses due to synthetic opioids [2]. Even nonfatal opioid-involved overdoses increased 4% quarterly between January 2018 and March 2022 as observed by encounters by emergency medical services [3]. Although the eastern U.S. has been particularly impacted by fatal overdoses, annual increases have increased as of last year in the western states including in Nevada (+27.9%), Washington (+36.9%), Oregon (+38.6%), and Alaska (+45.9%). In contrast, other states have seen more modest changes (New Mexico = +1.3%) including decreases (South Dakota = -2.4%, Nebraska = -19.5%) [1]. These findings underscore the importance for understanding patterns in usage of prevention and treatment strategies.
Naloxone is an opioid antagonist which can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. This crucial lifesaving tool is administered as an injection or as a nasal spray. This study characterized the patterns of naloxone prescriptions in Medicaid patients from 2018 – 2021 and Medicare patients for 2019. State level differences were also quantified as the fold difference in prescribing between the highest and lowest states when correcting for the number of enrollees in each state.
Author Interviews, Breast Cancer, JAMA, USPSTF / 01.05.2024
USPSTF: New Guidelines Recommend All Women Get Screened for Breast Cancer Beginning at Age 40, Earlier if They Are at High Risk
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
[caption id="attachment_60752" align="alignleft" width="200"] Dr. Nicholson[/caption]
Wanda K. Nicholson, M.D., M.P.H., M.B.A.
Senior Associate Dean for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Professor of Prevention and Community Health
Milken Institute School of Public Health
George Washington University
Dr. Nicholson was appointed chair of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force in March 2024. She served as vice chair from March 2022 to March 2024 and as a member of the Task Force from January 2009 through December 2013.
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?
Response: Breast cancer is the second most common cancer and the second most common cause of cancer deaths for women in the U.S. After reviewing the latest science, the Task Force recommends screening all women for breast cancer every other year starting at age 40 and continuing through age 74. This new approach has the potential to save nearly 20 percent more lives from breast cancer and has even greater potential benefit for Black women, who are much more likely to die from breast cancer.
Dr. Nicholson[/caption]
Wanda K. Nicholson, M.D., M.P.H., M.B.A.
Senior Associate Dean for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Professor of Prevention and Community Health
Milken Institute School of Public Health
George Washington University
Dr. Nicholson was appointed chair of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force in March 2024. She served as vice chair from March 2022 to March 2024 and as a member of the Task Force from January 2009 through December 2013.
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?
Response: Breast cancer is the second most common cancer and the second most common cause of cancer deaths for women in the U.S. After reviewing the latest science, the Task Force recommends screening all women for breast cancer every other year starting at age 40 and continuing through age 74. This new approach has the potential to save nearly 20 percent more lives from breast cancer and has even greater potential benefit for Black women, who are much more likely to die from breast cancer.
Author Interviews, Cost of Health Care, JAMA, Kidney Disease, Medicare / 11.01.2024
Dialysis Facilities Serving Disadvantaged Populations More Frequently Penalized Under Pay-For-Performance Model
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
[caption id="attachment_61226" align="alignleft" width="134"]
Kalli Koukounas[/caption]
Kalli Koukounas, MPH
Ph.D. Student, Health Services Research
Brown University School of Public Health
Providence, RI
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study?
Response: On Jan. 1st, 2021, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) implemented the End-Stage Renal Disease Treatment Choices (ETC) Model, one of the largest randomized tests of pay-for-performance incentives ever conducted in the US.
The goal of the model was to enhance the use of home dialysis and kidney transplant or waitlisting among kidney failure patients in traditional Medicare. The model randomly assigned approximately 30% of US dialysis facilities and nephrologists to receive financial incentives, ranging from bonuses of 4% to penalties of 5%, based on their patients’ use of home dialysis and kidney transplant/waitlisiting. The payment adjustments apply to all Medicare-based reimbursement for dialysis services. Prior research has demonstrated that dialysis facilities that disproportionately serve populations with high social risk have lower use of home dialysis and kidney transplant, raising concerns that these sites may fare poorly in the payment model. Using data released by CMS, we examined the first year of ETC model performance and financial penalties across dialysis facilities, stratified by the measured social risk of the facilities’ incident patients.
Kalli Koukounas[/caption]
Kalli Koukounas, MPH
Ph.D. Student, Health Services Research
Brown University School of Public Health
Providence, RI
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study?
Response: On Jan. 1st, 2021, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) implemented the End-Stage Renal Disease Treatment Choices (ETC) Model, one of the largest randomized tests of pay-for-performance incentives ever conducted in the US.
The goal of the model was to enhance the use of home dialysis and kidney transplant or waitlisting among kidney failure patients in traditional Medicare. The model randomly assigned approximately 30% of US dialysis facilities and nephrologists to receive financial incentives, ranging from bonuses of 4% to penalties of 5%, based on their patients’ use of home dialysis and kidney transplant/waitlisiting. The payment adjustments apply to all Medicare-based reimbursement for dialysis services. Prior research has demonstrated that dialysis facilities that disproportionately serve populations with high social risk have lower use of home dialysis and kidney transplant, raising concerns that these sites may fare poorly in the payment model. Using data released by CMS, we examined the first year of ETC model performance and financial penalties across dialysis facilities, stratified by the measured social risk of the facilities’ incident patients.
Author Interviews, Gender Differences / 03.01.2024
Increased knowledge, empathy, and understanding of the transgender healthcare: Results of a medical education study
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
[caption id="attachment_61196" align="alignleft" width="160"] Dr. Christian Carbe[/caption]
Christian Carbe, PhD
Department of Medical Educatio
Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine
Scranton, PA 18509
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study?
Response: Transgender patients often experience pronounced healthcare disparities compared to their cisgender counterparts. Disparities in the treatment of transgender patients resulting from deficiencies in cultural competency perpetuate poor health outcomes, such as suicide, substance misuse, depression, harassment, and victimization.
Individuals within the transgender community often face systemic barriers within the medical field, including a lack of comprehensive access to health insurance, discrimination from providers, and incompetent provider training in transgender-specific health needs.
This report evaluated the changes in knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs of the psychosocial and medical needs of the transgender community among first-year undergraduate medical students that attended the Northeastern Pennsylvania Trans Health Conference. Our broader goal is to develop and refine longitudinal interventions to improve skills and sensitivity of future physicians to provide compassionate and competent gender diverse and transgender healthcare.
Dr. Christian Carbe[/caption]
Christian Carbe, PhD
Department of Medical Educatio
Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine
Scranton, PA 18509
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study?
Response: Transgender patients often experience pronounced healthcare disparities compared to their cisgender counterparts. Disparities in the treatment of transgender patients resulting from deficiencies in cultural competency perpetuate poor health outcomes, such as suicide, substance misuse, depression, harassment, and victimization.
Individuals within the transgender community often face systemic barriers within the medical field, including a lack of comprehensive access to health insurance, discrimination from providers, and incompetent provider training in transgender-specific health needs.
This report evaluated the changes in knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs of the psychosocial and medical needs of the transgender community among first-year undergraduate medical students that attended the Northeastern Pennsylvania Trans Health Conference. Our broader goal is to develop and refine longitudinal interventions to improve skills and sensitivity of future physicians to provide compassionate and competent gender diverse and transgender healthcare.
Author Interviews, COVID -19 Coronavirus, Race/Ethnic Diversity, Vaccine Studies / 10.02.2023
Factors Influencing COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy in Eastern Pennsylvania
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
[caption id="attachment_60007" align="alignleft" width="125"]
Kenya Colvin[/caption]
Kenya Colvin, MBS
Department of Medical Education
Scranton, PA
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study?
Response: Vaccine hesitancy is a major driver of COVID-19 vaccination disparities between minority and non-Hispanic White communities. Our goal was to understand what factors influenced vaccine hesitancy among individuals in Eastern Pennsylvania to identify more effective ways to promote vaccine uptake within minority communities.
Kenya Colvin[/caption]
Kenya Colvin, MBS
Department of Medical Education
Scranton, PA
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study?
Response: Vaccine hesitancy is a major driver of COVID-19 vaccination disparities between minority and non-Hispanic White communities. Our goal was to understand what factors influenced vaccine hesitancy among individuals in Eastern Pennsylvania to identify more effective ways to promote vaccine uptake within minority communities.
Author Interviews, Cancer Research, JAMA, Race/Ethnic Diversity / 10.06.2022
Rural Cancer Survival Trails Urban Patients, Especially for Minorities
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
[caption id="attachment_59246" align="alignleft" width="150"] Dr. Lewis-Thames[/caption]
Marquita W. Lewis-Thames, PhD (she/her/Dr.)
Assistant Professor, Department of Medical Social Science
Center for Community Health, Member Researcher
Assistant Directors of Community Outreach and Engagement, Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center
Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?
Response: Incidence, mortality, and survivorship provide a comprehensive description of cancer for a group of people. Differences in cancer incidence and mortality trends by rural-urban status and race and ethnicity are well documented, but urban-rural cancer survivorship trends by race and ethnicity are unknown. To this end, we examined almost 40 years of racial and ethnic differences by rural-urban status for 5-year survival of patients with lung, prostate, breast, and colorectal cancers.
Using a nationwide epidemiological assessment of 1975-2011 data from the SEER database, we found that 5-year cancer-specific survival trends increased for all cancer types and race and ethnic groups, regardless of rural or urban status.
Generally, rural, and non-Hispanic Black cancer patients had worse survival outcomes than others.
Dr. Lewis-Thames[/caption]
Marquita W. Lewis-Thames, PhD (she/her/Dr.)
Assistant Professor, Department of Medical Social Science
Center for Community Health, Member Researcher
Assistant Directors of Community Outreach and Engagement, Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center
Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?
Response: Incidence, mortality, and survivorship provide a comprehensive description of cancer for a group of people. Differences in cancer incidence and mortality trends by rural-urban status and race and ethnicity are well documented, but urban-rural cancer survivorship trends by race and ethnicity are unknown. To this end, we examined almost 40 years of racial and ethnic differences by rural-urban status for 5-year survival of patients with lung, prostate, breast, and colorectal cancers.
Using a nationwide epidemiological assessment of 1975-2011 data from the SEER database, we found that 5-year cancer-specific survival trends increased for all cancer types and race and ethnic groups, regardless of rural or urban status.
Generally, rural, and non-Hispanic Black cancer patients had worse survival outcomes than others.
ASCO, Author Interviews, Breast Cancer, Cancer Research, Race/Ethnic Diversity / 09.06.2022
African American Women Face Increased Odds of Dying from Metastatic Breast Cancer
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
[caption id="attachment_59217" align="alignleft" width="92"] Dr. Singhal[/caption]
Sachi Singhal, MD
Department of Medicine
Crozer Chester Medical Center
Upland, PA
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?
Response: This study focuses on analysing the National Inpatient Sample for patients with breast cancer, their breakdown by race, gender and US regions, and their mortality per sub-group.
The main findings are that African Americans, especially AA women are at significantly increased odds of dying from metastatic breast cancer in the United States.
Dr. Singhal[/caption]
Sachi Singhal, MD
Department of Medicine
Crozer Chester Medical Center
Upland, PA
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?
Response: This study focuses on analysing the National Inpatient Sample for patients with breast cancer, their breakdown by race, gender and US regions, and their mortality per sub-group.
The main findings are that African Americans, especially AA women are at significantly increased odds of dying from metastatic breast cancer in the United States.
Author Interviews, Breast Cancer, Cancer Research, Race/Ethnic Diversity, Vitamin D / 26.04.2022
Vitamin D May Protect Against Breast Cancer, Including in Minority Women with Low Vitamin D Levels
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
[caption id="attachment_59088" align="alignleft" width="100"] Dr. O'Brien[/caption]
Katie M. O’Brien PhD
Chronic Disease Epidemiology Group
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?
Response: Vitamin D may protect against breast cancer. Although women of color have lower average vitamin D levels than non-Hispanic White women, few studies have considered the role of race/ethnicity.
In a sample of self-identified Black/African American and Hispanic/Latina women, we observed that vitamin D concentrations measured in blood were inversely associated with breast cancer, particularly among Latinas.
These findings indicate that vitamin D may protect against breast cancer, including among racial/ethnic groups with low average circulating levels.
Dr. O'Brien[/caption]
Katie M. O’Brien PhD
Chronic Disease Epidemiology Group
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?
Response: Vitamin D may protect against breast cancer. Although women of color have lower average vitamin D levels than non-Hispanic White women, few studies have considered the role of race/ethnicity.
In a sample of self-identified Black/African American and Hispanic/Latina women, we observed that vitamin D concentrations measured in blood were inversely associated with breast cancer, particularly among Latinas.
These findings indicate that vitamin D may protect against breast cancer, including among racial/ethnic groups with low average circulating levels.
Alzheimer's - Dementia, Author Interviews, Race/Ethnic Diversity, UCSF / 20.04.2022
Strong Evidence for Differences in Dementia Risk by Race and Ethnicity
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
[caption id="attachment_59076" align="alignleft" width="150"] Dr. Kornblith[/caption]
Erica Kornblith, PhD
Assistant Professor, Psychiatry
UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?
Response: As the population of the United States grows more diverse and dementia is a serious public health concern, we hoped to understand whether differences in dementia risk exist based on race or ethnicity. Older studies have shown that Black and Hispanic folks have higher risk of dementia, perhaps due to medical risk factors, diagnostic bias, lack of equal access to health care and education, or the health effects of racism, among other factors. However, these older studies have been small or limited geographically or by only studying a few race and ethnicity groups. Our study used a nationwide sample of almost two million older Veterans who all had access to care through the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), and we examined 5 race or ethnicity groups: American Indians or Alaska Natives, Asians, Blacks, Hispanics, and Whites.
Our results show that dementia risk is higher for Black and Hispanic Veterans compared to white Veterans, even when education and medical factors are considered.
Dr. Kornblith[/caption]
Erica Kornblith, PhD
Assistant Professor, Psychiatry
UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?
Response: As the population of the United States grows more diverse and dementia is a serious public health concern, we hoped to understand whether differences in dementia risk exist based on race or ethnicity. Older studies have shown that Black and Hispanic folks have higher risk of dementia, perhaps due to medical risk factors, diagnostic bias, lack of equal access to health care and education, or the health effects of racism, among other factors. However, these older studies have been small or limited geographically or by only studying a few race and ethnicity groups. Our study used a nationwide sample of almost two million older Veterans who all had access to care through the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), and we examined 5 race or ethnicity groups: American Indians or Alaska Natives, Asians, Blacks, Hispanics, and Whites.
Our results show that dementia risk is higher for Black and Hispanic Veterans compared to white Veterans, even when education and medical factors are considered.
AHA Journals, Author Interviews, Blood Pressure - Hypertension, Race/Ethnic Diversity, Social Issues / 03.02.2022
Residential Segregation Contributes to Hypertension in Black and Hispanic Adults
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Xing Gao, MPH, lead author and doctoral candidate in
Dr. Mujahid's research group
Mahasin Mujahid, MS, PhD, FAHA
Lillian E. I. and Dudley J. Aldous Chair in the School of Public Health
Associate Professor of Epidemiology
Director, Epidemiology & Biostatistics Master of Public Health Program
UC Berkeley, School of Public Health
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?
- Hypertension is a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, and persistent racial and ethnic inequities in hypertension remain an urgent public health challenge.
- Public health researchers need a more nuanced understanding of how structural factors contribute to these inequities, which has a direct application to improving the cardiovascular health of marginalized populations.
- This study examined associations between racial residential segregation, a product of historical and contemporary racially discriminatory policies, and hypertension in a multi-racial cohort of middle-aged and older adults.
Author Interviews, JAMA, Prostate Cancer, Race/Ethnic Diversity, UCLA / 03.01.2022
Prostate Cancer: Comparison of Outcomes for Black and White Men Treated with Radiation Therapy
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Ting Martin Ma, MD, PhD
Resident Physician
Amar U. Kishan, MD
Assistant Professor, Department of Radiation Oncology
Vice-Chair of Clinical and Translational Research
Department of Radiation Oncology at UCLA
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study?
Response: We know from epidemiologic studies that Black men are more likely to be diagnosed with and die of prostate cancer than White men. Recent studies hinted that Black men had better oncological outcome (such as prostate cancer specific mortality and overall survival) responding to systemic therapy for advanced prostate cancer (e.g. cancer that has spread or metastasized to other parts of the body).
The question we were trying to answer in this study is: is there a difference in outcomes between Black and White men with localized prostate cancer (cancer that has not spread) receiving definitive radiotherapy enrolled in clinical trials?
Author Interviews, Diabetes, JAMA, Race/Ethnic Diversity, University of Pennsylvania / 20.12.2021
Diabetes: Racial, Ethnic, and Socioeconomic Inequities in GLP-1 RA Drug Use
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
[caption id="attachment_58583" align="alignleft" width="125"]
Dr. Eberly[/caption]
Lauren A. Eberly, MD, MPH
Clinical Fellow, Cardiovascular Medicine
Perelman School of Medicine
Cardiovascular Division, Perelman School of Medicine
Center for Cardiovascular Outcomes, Quality, and Evaluative Research,
Cardiovascular Center for Health Equity and Social Justice,
Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics
University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study?
Response: Racial inequities are pervasive in our country, and cardiovascular therapeutics with proven benefit have been shown to be underutilized among Black and Latinx patients.
Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs), a recommended treatment option for glycemic control in patients with diabetes, have recently emerged as a cardioprotective therapy as multiple large randomized clinical trials have shown they prevent cardiovascular events among patients with Type 2 Diabetes (T2D), particularly patients with established atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). Given this, they are now recommended therapy for patients with diabetes and established or high risk of ASCVD.
Given the known inequitable utilization of other therapies, along with the known higher burden of diabetes and cardiovascular disease among Black patients, the aim of this study was to evaluate the uptake of GLP-1 RA as well as for inequities in utilization.
Dr. Eberly[/caption]
Lauren A. Eberly, MD, MPH
Clinical Fellow, Cardiovascular Medicine
Perelman School of Medicine
Cardiovascular Division, Perelman School of Medicine
Center for Cardiovascular Outcomes, Quality, and Evaluative Research,
Cardiovascular Center for Health Equity and Social Justice,
Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics
University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study?
Response: Racial inequities are pervasive in our country, and cardiovascular therapeutics with proven benefit have been shown to be underutilized among Black and Latinx patients.
Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs), a recommended treatment option for glycemic control in patients with diabetes, have recently emerged as a cardioprotective therapy as multiple large randomized clinical trials have shown they prevent cardiovascular events among patients with Type 2 Diabetes (T2D), particularly patients with established atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). Given this, they are now recommended therapy for patients with diabetes and established or high risk of ASCVD.
Given the known inequitable utilization of other therapies, along with the known higher burden of diabetes and cardiovascular disease among Black patients, the aim of this study was to evaluate the uptake of GLP-1 RA as well as for inequities in utilization.
Author Interviews, Heart Disease, JAMA, Race/Ethnic Diversity, University of Pennsylvania / 18.11.2021
Penn Study finds Inequities In Access to Heart Procedure TAVR
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
[caption id="attachment_58385" align="alignleft" width="125"]
Dr. Ashwin Nathan[/caption]
Ashwin Nathan, MD, MSHP
Assistant Professor, Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine
Interventional Cardiologist
Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and at the
Corporal Michael C. Crescenz VA Medical Center in Philadelphia
Penn Cardiovascular Outcomes, Quality & Evaluative Research Center
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?
Response: We found that the rates of TAVR were lower in areas with higher proportions of Black, Hispanic and socioeconomically disadvantaged patients. Inequities in access in areas with higher proportions of Black and Hispanic patients existed despite adjusting for socioeconomic status.
Dr. Ashwin Nathan[/caption]
Ashwin Nathan, MD, MSHP
Assistant Professor, Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine
Interventional Cardiologist
Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and at the
Corporal Michael C. Crescenz VA Medical Center in Philadelphia
Penn Cardiovascular Outcomes, Quality & Evaluative Research Center
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?
Response: We found that the rates of TAVR were lower in areas with higher proportions of Black, Hispanic and socioeconomically disadvantaged patients. Inequities in access in areas with higher proportions of Black and Hispanic patients existed despite adjusting for socioeconomic status.
Author Interviews, HIV, Infections, Vanderbilt / 02.10.2021
Among HIV Patients, Black Women Have Highest Rates of Premature Mortality
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
[caption id="attachment_58192" align="alignleft" width="150"] Dr. Pellegrino[/caption]
Rachael Pellegrino, MD
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study?
Response: We know that HIV care and outcomes have dramatically improved over the last 20 years, but disparities still exist at each step of the HIV care continuum, which can ultimately lead to differences in mortality rates. In addition to assessing trends and disparities in mortality, we wanted to look at differences in premature mortality, which has not been widely studied in the HIV population in the US. This concept serves to emphasize and quantify the time lost by death at an early age as an important measurement of the impact of diseases and can expose disparities that are not apparent in the mortality rates alone.
Dr. Pellegrino[/caption]
Rachael Pellegrino, MD
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study?
Response: We know that HIV care and outcomes have dramatically improved over the last 20 years, but disparities still exist at each step of the HIV care continuum, which can ultimately lead to differences in mortality rates. In addition to assessing trends and disparities in mortality, we wanted to look at differences in premature mortality, which has not been widely studied in the HIV population in the US. This concept serves to emphasize and quantify the time lost by death at an early age as an important measurement of the impact of diseases and can expose disparities that are not apparent in the mortality rates alone.
Author Interviews, JAMA, Primary Care, Social Issues / 13.09.2021
USPSTF: Identifying Social Risk Factors Key to Improving Health Equity
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
[caption id="attachment_58111" align="alignleft" width="200"] Dr. Davidson[/caption]
Karina W. Davidson, Ph.D., M.A.Sc.
Professor of Behavioral Medicine
Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra University/Northwell Health
Chairperson, USPSTF
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?
Response: The social and economic conditions in someone’s life, such as whether or not they have secure food, housing, or transportation, can affect their health in multiple ways. As part of our commitment to improving health equity, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force took two key steps.
We both thoroughly reviewed the existing research around screening and interventions for social risk factors, and audited our own portfolio of recommendation statements to determine how and how often social risks have been considered in the past. This information serves as a benchmark and foundation for our ongoing work to further advance health equity through our methods and recommendations.
Dr. Davidson[/caption]
Karina W. Davidson, Ph.D., M.A.Sc.
Professor of Behavioral Medicine
Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra University/Northwell Health
Chairperson, USPSTF
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?
Response: The social and economic conditions in someone’s life, such as whether or not they have secure food, housing, or transportation, can affect their health in multiple ways. As part of our commitment to improving health equity, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force took two key steps.
We both thoroughly reviewed the existing research around screening and interventions for social risk factors, and audited our own portfolio of recommendation statements to determine how and how often social risks have been considered in the past. This information serves as a benchmark and foundation for our ongoing work to further advance health equity through our methods and recommendations.
Author Interviews, Blood Pressure - Hypertension, Diabetes, JAMA, Race/Ethnic Diversity / 13.09.2021
Medicaid Expansion Linked to Improved in Hypertension and Diabetes Outcomes, especially in Minority Patients
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
[caption id="attachment_58077" align="alignleft" width="125"]
Dr. Cole[/caption]
Megan B. Cole, PhD, MPH
Assistant Professor | Dept. of Health Law, Policy, & Management
Co-Director | BU Medicaid Policy Lab
Boston University School of Public Health
Boston, MA 02118
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study?
Response: Under the Affordable Care Act, states were given the option to expand Medicaid eligibility to nonelderly adults with incomes up to 138% of the federal poverty level, where in January 2014, 25 states plus Washington, DC expanded eligibility, with 13 additional states expanding thereafter. State Medicaid expansion decisions were particularly consequential for federally qualified health centers (FQHCs), which serve nearly 30 million low-income, disproportionately uninsured patients across the US.
We know from earlier work that in the shorter-term, Medicaid expansion was associated with improvements in quality of care process measures and FQHC service capacity. However, we conducted the first known nationally representative study to examine how Medicaid expansion impacted key chronic disease outcome measures at FQHCs over the longer-term by looking at changes five years after implementation, including changes by race/ethnicity.
Dr. Cole[/caption]
Megan B. Cole, PhD, MPH
Assistant Professor | Dept. of Health Law, Policy, & Management
Co-Director | BU Medicaid Policy Lab
Boston University School of Public Health
Boston, MA 02118
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study?
Response: Under the Affordable Care Act, states were given the option to expand Medicaid eligibility to nonelderly adults with incomes up to 138% of the federal poverty level, where in January 2014, 25 states plus Washington, DC expanded eligibility, with 13 additional states expanding thereafter. State Medicaid expansion decisions were particularly consequential for federally qualified health centers (FQHCs), which serve nearly 30 million low-income, disproportionately uninsured patients across the US.
We know from earlier work that in the shorter-term, Medicaid expansion was associated with improvements in quality of care process measures and FQHC service capacity. However, we conducted the first known nationally representative study to examine how Medicaid expansion impacted key chronic disease outcome measures at FQHCs over the longer-term by looking at changes five years after implementation, including changes by race/ethnicity.
Addiction, Author Interviews, Opiods, Race/Ethnic Diversity / 10.09.2021
Pronounced Regional Disparities in Methadone Availability in the United States
John A. Furst BS
Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study?
Response: Methadone is an evidence-based pharmacotherapy for opioid detoxification, maintenance therapy, and pain management. However, accessibility of this treatment remains variable across much of the country. Methadone for the treatment of opioid use disorder (OUD) is exclusively provided by federally regulated opioid treatment programs (OTPs) and has provoked significant community-based and legal controversy regarding its role in the management of this condition. This has created disparities related to the distribution and access of methadone throughout the United States (U.S.). The goal of this study1 was to highlight the most recent pharmacoepidemiologic trends associated with methadone in the face of unique restrictions at the local, state, and federal levels.
Author Interviews, Columbia, JAMA, Race/Ethnic Diversity, Telemedicine / 29.07.2021
Racial Disparities in Specialty Outpatient Physician Care
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
[caption id="attachment_57794" align="alignleft" width="100"] Dr. Woolhandler[/caption]
Steffie Woolhandler MD MPH, FACP
Professor of Public health and Health Policy
CUNY School of Public Health at Hunter College
Co-founder and board member
Physicians for a National Health Program
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?
Response: We analzyed a national database of healthcare utilization. We found racial disparities exist in use of specialist MD services by Black- and Native-Americans relative to White-Americans, despite their greater needs. Hispanic- and Asian-Americans also receive specialist care at low rates.
Dr. Woolhandler[/caption]
Steffie Woolhandler MD MPH, FACP
Professor of Public health and Health Policy
CUNY School of Public Health at Hunter College
Co-founder and board member
Physicians for a National Health Program
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?
Response: We analzyed a national database of healthcare utilization. We found racial disparities exist in use of specialist MD services by Black- and Native-Americans relative to White-Americans, despite their greater needs. Hispanic- and Asian-Americans also receive specialist care at low rates.
Author Interviews, Cancer Research, COVID -19 Coronavirus, JAMA, Prostate Cancer, Race/Ethnic Diversity / 23.07.2021
Black Men Less Likely to Have Prostate Surgery During COVID Lockdown
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
[caption id="attachment_57814" align="alignleft" width="119"]
Dr. Correa[/caption]
Andres F. Correa, MD
Assistant Professor
Department of Surgical Oncology, and
[caption id="attachment_57815" align="alignleft" width="150"]
Dr. Bernstein[/caption]
Adrien Bernstein, MD
Second Year Urologic Oncology Fellow
Fox Chase Cancer Center
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study?
Response: Unfortunately, it has been well-established that historically Black Americans experience increased cancer specific mortality compared to white patients. In prostate cancer specifically studies have shown that when access to care is equitable this gap resolves. This suggests that biological factors are not driving these differences but rather the result of the complex interplay of social determinants and systemic inequities in our healthcare system.
Early in the pandemic, multiple studies demonstrated that minority communities disproportionately shouldered poor COVID-19 outcomes. On March 13th 2020, the American College of Surgeons recommended against elective procedures; however, the definition of an elective oncologic case was left to the discretion of the provider. As prostate cancer treatment can be safely deferred up to a year follow diagnosis, management of prostate cancer during the initial lockdown period of the COVID-19 Pandemic provided a useful analysis of the differential restrictions placed on non-emergent health care during the Pandemic.
Dr. Correa[/caption]
Andres F. Correa, MD
Assistant Professor
Department of Surgical Oncology, and
[caption id="attachment_57815" align="alignleft" width="150"] Dr. Bernstein[/caption]
Adrien Bernstein, MD
Second Year Urologic Oncology Fellow
Fox Chase Cancer Center
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study?
Response: Unfortunately, it has been well-established that historically Black Americans experience increased cancer specific mortality compared to white patients. In prostate cancer specifically studies have shown that when access to care is equitable this gap resolves. This suggests that biological factors are not driving these differences but rather the result of the complex interplay of social determinants and systemic inequities in our healthcare system.
Early in the pandemic, multiple studies demonstrated that minority communities disproportionately shouldered poor COVID-19 outcomes. On March 13th 2020, the American College of Surgeons recommended against elective procedures; however, the definition of an elective oncologic case was left to the discretion of the provider. As prostate cancer treatment can be safely deferred up to a year follow diagnosis, management of prostate cancer during the initial lockdown period of the COVID-19 Pandemic provided a useful analysis of the differential restrictions placed on non-emergent health care during the Pandemic.
Author Interviews, JAMA, Kidney Disease, Race/Ethnic Diversity, UCSF / 17.07.2021
Investigators Find Removing Race Coefficient from CKD-EPI Equation Would Introduce Bias Rather Than Improve Accuracy
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
[caption id="attachment_57785" align="alignleft" width="150"] Dr. Chi-yuan Hsu[/caption]
Chi-yuan Hsu, MD, MSc (he/him/his)
Professor and Division Chief
Division of Nephrology
University of California, San Francisco
San Francisco, CA 94143-0532
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study?
Response: There has been a great deal of controversy recently about how race should be considered in medicine, including its use in estimating kidney function (e.g. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2769035). A recent paper published in JAMA Network Open by Zelnick et al suggested that removing the race coefficient improves the accuracy of estimating kidney function (https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2775076) in the Chronic Renal Insufficiency Cohort, a NIH-funded study (www.cristudy.org).
We are core investigators of the Chronic Renal Insufficiency Cohort Study and were not involved in the Zelnick’s study that was based on a public use dataset. Because we were surprised by the methodological approach they took and the conclusion they came to, we implemented our own analysis of the data.
Dr. Chi-yuan Hsu[/caption]
Chi-yuan Hsu, MD, MSc (he/him/his)
Professor and Division Chief
Division of Nephrology
University of California, San Francisco
San Francisco, CA 94143-0532
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study?
Response: There has been a great deal of controversy recently about how race should be considered in medicine, including its use in estimating kidney function (e.g. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2769035). A recent paper published in JAMA Network Open by Zelnick et al suggested that removing the race coefficient improves the accuracy of estimating kidney function (https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2775076) in the Chronic Renal Insufficiency Cohort, a NIH-funded study (www.cristudy.org).
We are core investigators of the Chronic Renal Insufficiency Cohort Study and were not involved in the Zelnick’s study that was based on a public use dataset. Because we were surprised by the methodological approach they took and the conclusion they came to, we implemented our own analysis of the data.
Author Interviews, Cancer Research, CDC, Emory, Gender Differences, Race/Ethnic Diversity / 08.07.2021
Cancer Death Rates Decline for All Groups, but Racial Disparities Persist
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
[caption id="attachment_57756" align="alignleft" width="200"] Dr. Islami[/caption]
Farhad Islami, MD PHD
Scientific Director, Cancer Disparity Research
American Cancer Society
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study?
Response: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the American Cancer Society (ACS), the National Cancer Institute (NCI), and the North American Association of Central Cancer Registries (NAACCR) have collaborated annually since 1998 to provide updated information about cancer occurrence and trends by cancer type, sex, age group, and racial/ethnic group in the United States.
In this year’s report, we focus on national cancer statistics and highlight trends in stage-specific survival for melanoma of the skin, the first cancer for which effective immune checkpoint inhibitors were developed.
Dr. Islami[/caption]
Farhad Islami, MD PHD
Scientific Director, Cancer Disparity Research
American Cancer Society
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study?
Response: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the American Cancer Society (ACS), the National Cancer Institute (NCI), and the North American Association of Central Cancer Registries (NAACCR) have collaborated annually since 1998 to provide updated information about cancer occurrence and trends by cancer type, sex, age group, and racial/ethnic group in the United States.
In this year’s report, we focus on national cancer statistics and highlight trends in stage-specific survival for melanoma of the skin, the first cancer for which effective immune checkpoint inhibitors were developed.
Author Interviews, Cancer Research, Colon Cancer, JAMA, USPSTF / 26.05.2021
USPSTF: New Recommendation Lowers First Colon Cancer Screening Age to 45
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
[caption id="attachment_57486" align="alignleft" width="133"] Dr. Kubik[/caption]
Martha Kubik, Ph.D., R.N.
Professor and Director
School of Nursing
College of Health and Human Services
George Mason University
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study?
Response: Colorectal cancer is the third leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States, yet about a quarter of people ages 50 to 75 have never been screened for this devastating disease. Fortunately, we know that screening for colorectal cancer is effective and saves lives. New science about colorectal cancer in people younger than 50 years old has enabled us to expand our previous guidelines to recommend that all adults ages 45 to 75 be screened for colorectal cancer to reduce their risk of dying from this disease.
Dr. Kubik[/caption]
Martha Kubik, Ph.D., R.N.
Professor and Director
School of Nursing
College of Health and Human Services
George Mason University
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study?
Response: Colorectal cancer is the third leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States, yet about a quarter of people ages 50 to 75 have never been screened for this devastating disease. Fortunately, we know that screening for colorectal cancer is effective and saves lives. New science about colorectal cancer in people younger than 50 years old has enabled us to expand our previous guidelines to recommend that all adults ages 45 to 75 be screened for colorectal cancer to reduce their risk of dying from this disease.
Author Interviews, Breast Cancer, JAMA, Race/Ethnic Diversity / 17.05.2021
Triple Negative Breast Cancer More Deadly in African Americans
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
[caption id="attachment_57430" align="alignleft" width="108"] Dr. Ying Liu[/caption]
Ying Liu, MD, PhD
Assistant Professor
Washington University School of Medicine
Department of Surgery, Division of Public Health Sciences
St. Louis, MO
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study?
Response: Non-Hispanic African American women experience a disproportional burden of poor breast cancer outcomes than non-Hispanic White women, which is associated with a higher incidence of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), more advanced stages at diagnosis, and lower treatment adherence. However, the differences in clinical treatment and outcomes between African American women with TNBC and their White counterparts have not been well defined.
Dr. Ying Liu[/caption]
Ying Liu, MD, PhD
Assistant Professor
Washington University School of Medicine
Department of Surgery, Division of Public Health Sciences
St. Louis, MO
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study?
Response: Non-Hispanic African American women experience a disproportional burden of poor breast cancer outcomes than non-Hispanic White women, which is associated with a higher incidence of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), more advanced stages at diagnosis, and lower treatment adherence. However, the differences in clinical treatment and outcomes between African American women with TNBC and their White counterparts have not been well defined.
Author Interviews, COVID -19 Coronavirus, Heart Disease, JACC, Social Issues / 12.05.2021
COVID-19: Mitigation Measures Correlate With Social Risk Profile
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
[caption id="attachment_57355" align="alignleft" width="150"] Dr. Hagan[/caption]
Kobina Hagan MBBS, MPH Postdoctoral Fellow
Center for Outcomes Research,
Houston Methodist Research Institute
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study?
Response: Before the COVID-19 vaccination roll-out, risk mitigation guidelines including respiratory hygiene, social distancing, and job flexibility, were the most effective preventive measures against coronavirus transmission. Social determinants of health scholarships had identified social circumstances to limit adherence to these mitigation guidelines. Individuals with underlying cardiovascular disease are identified as high-risk phenotypes for severe COVID-19 outcomes. In addition, research efforts during the early and middle waves of the pandemic had identified coronavirus exposure risk as a greater mediator of the observed COVID-19 disparities, compared to clinical susceptibility from comorbidities. Yet, population-based evidence on the practice of these mitigation guidelines in this high-risk group were lacking. Consequently, we believed there was a need to robustly characterize COVID-19 risk mitigation practices among adults with cardiovascular disease in the nation.
The COVID-19 Household Impact Survey was a survey conducted by the National Opinion Research Center at the University of Chicago, to provide statistics about health, economic security, and social dynamics of the US adult household population nationwide and for 18 geographic areas (10 states, 8 metropolitan statistical areas) between April and June 2020. This survey complemented the Household Pulse Survey by the Census Bureau.
In this study we described the COVID-19 risk mitigation practices among patients with CVD and evaluated the association between cumulative social determinants of health burden (a measure of social adversity) and adherence these measures.
Dr. Hagan[/caption]
Kobina Hagan MBBS, MPH Postdoctoral Fellow
Center for Outcomes Research,
Houston Methodist Research Institute
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study?
Response: Before the COVID-19 vaccination roll-out, risk mitigation guidelines including respiratory hygiene, social distancing, and job flexibility, were the most effective preventive measures against coronavirus transmission. Social determinants of health scholarships had identified social circumstances to limit adherence to these mitigation guidelines. Individuals with underlying cardiovascular disease are identified as high-risk phenotypes for severe COVID-19 outcomes. In addition, research efforts during the early and middle waves of the pandemic had identified coronavirus exposure risk as a greater mediator of the observed COVID-19 disparities, compared to clinical susceptibility from comorbidities. Yet, population-based evidence on the practice of these mitigation guidelines in this high-risk group were lacking. Consequently, we believed there was a need to robustly characterize COVID-19 risk mitigation practices among adults with cardiovascular disease in the nation.
The COVID-19 Household Impact Survey was a survey conducted by the National Opinion Research Center at the University of Chicago, to provide statistics about health, economic security, and social dynamics of the US adult household population nationwide and for 18 geographic areas (10 states, 8 metropolitan statistical areas) between April and June 2020. This survey complemented the Household Pulse Survey by the Census Bureau.
In this study we described the COVID-19 risk mitigation practices among patients with CVD and evaluated the association between cumulative social determinants of health burden (a measure of social adversity) and adherence these measures.
Asthma, Author Interviews, Brigham & Women's - Harvard, Race/Ethnic Diversity / 09.05.2021
COVID-19: Asthma Attacks Drop Dramatically Among Black & Latinx Communities During Epidemic
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
[caption id="attachment_57391" align="alignleft" width="150"]
Dr. Salciccioli[/caption]
Justin Salciccioli, MBBS, MA
Research Fellow in Medicine
[caption id="attachment_57392" align="alignleft" width="150"]
Dr. Israel[/caption]
Elliot Israel, MD
Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School
Pulmonary and Critical Care, Rheumatology, Medicine
Brigham and Women's Hospital
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study?
Response: Asthma attacks account for almost 50% of the cost of asthma care, which costs $80 billion each year in the United States. Asthma is more severe in African-American/Black and Hispanic/Latinx patients, with these groups having double the rates of attacks and hospitalizations as the general population. The PREPARE study is an ongoing national clinical trial for African American/Black and Hispanic/Latinx adults with moderate-to-severe asthma from different U.S. cities in which reporting of asthma control and asthma exacerbations was monitored entirely remotely.
With the arrival of the Covid19 pandemic, several studies suggested that asthma exacerbations may have decreased during the pandemic. However, multiple reports have suggested people were avoiding health services because of the pandemic, making it difficult to tell whether exacerbations truly decreased or whether people were simply avoiding their doctors. This is the first study done to assess asthma exacerbations before and during the pandemic that is unlikely to be impacted by patient healthcare avoidance.
Dr. Salciccioli[/caption]
Justin Salciccioli, MBBS, MA
Research Fellow in Medicine
[caption id="attachment_57392" align="alignleft" width="150"] Dr. Israel[/caption]
Elliot Israel, MD
Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School
Pulmonary and Critical Care, Rheumatology, Medicine
Brigham and Women's Hospital
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study?
Response: Asthma attacks account for almost 50% of the cost of asthma care, which costs $80 billion each year in the United States. Asthma is more severe in African-American/Black and Hispanic/Latinx patients, with these groups having double the rates of attacks and hospitalizations as the general population. The PREPARE study is an ongoing national clinical trial for African American/Black and Hispanic/Latinx adults with moderate-to-severe asthma from different U.S. cities in which reporting of asthma control and asthma exacerbations was monitored entirely remotely.
With the arrival of the Covid19 pandemic, several studies suggested that asthma exacerbations may have decreased during the pandemic. However, multiple reports have suggested people were avoiding health services because of the pandemic, making it difficult to tell whether exacerbations truly decreased or whether people were simply avoiding their doctors. This is the first study done to assess asthma exacerbations before and during the pandemic that is unlikely to be impacted by patient healthcare avoidance.
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