Tag

Black Health

All articles tagged with #black health

health14 days ago•106 min saved

Gene Therapy Breakthrough Brings Hope to Black Americans Living With Sickle Cell

A Louisiana man became the state’s first functionally cured sickle cell patient via 2023 FDA-approved gene therapies Casgevy and Lyfgenia; while these treatments hold promise for tens of thousands who are Black or African American, their high cost (around $2–$3 million) and limited treatment centers create access barriers, highlighting the need for broader insurance coverage, expanded care in underserved communities, and thorough discussion of risks like infertility and long‑term cancer risk.

via MS NOW|

#black-health #fda-approvals #gene-therapy

health5 months ago•14 min saved

Houston's Black Maternal Health Crisis Reveals Systemic Gaps

In Harris County, including Houston, Black women face markedly higher pregnancy‑related death and infant mortality rates than white women, driven by social determinants, access gaps, and racial bias. A 2016–2020 study found Black maternal mortality at 83.4 per 100,000 live births—the nation’s highest—while Black infant mortality stood at 11.66 per 1,000. Personal stories, like Moriah Ballard’s fatal preeclampsia and stillborn son, illustrate delayed care, miscommunication, and distrust in the system. Local hospitals and advocates are pushing reforms and funding to expand culturally competent care and improve communication, but experts say racism and systemic gaps must be confronted to save Black mothers and babies.

via Capital B News|

#black-health #health #maternal-mortality

health2 years ago•8 min saved

"Addressing Heart Health Disparities in Black Communities: The Role of Black Cardiologists and Genetic Factors"

Black Americans have the highest rates of heart disease and death from it, but only 4.2% of cardiologists are Black. The lack of diversity in cardiology is due to financial strain, discrimination, and microaggressions faced by Black medical students. Having Black cardiologists can create trust and comfort for Black patients, leading to better health outcomes. Efforts by organizations like the American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology aim to increase the number of Black doctors in cardiology to address this disparity.

via NBC News|

#black-health #cardiology #health