Tag

Health Equity

All articles tagged with #health equity

health3 days ago•176 min saved

Marriage May Lower Cancer Risk, New Study Finds

A Cancer Research Communications study finds never-married men have 68% higher cancer rates and never-married women 83% higher than their married counterparts, with the protective effect seemingly accumulating with age. Researchers say marriage may confer health benefits through social support, better healthcare access, and reduced risky behaviors, though some experts caution that findings could reflect broader social systems or biases. The authors advocate more research and increased support for unmarried individuals to ensure equitable care and screening.

via CNN|

#cancer #epidemiology #health

health13 days ago•3 min saved

Body positivity endures as slimming trends rise with GLP-1 era

A Axios piece argues the body positivity movement remains vital even as a GLP-1–driven slimming trend and celebrity focus dominate media, risking a return to thin-ideal norms. Experts warn this creates a two-tier world where access to medical weight interventions shapes self-perception and mental health, while activists emphasize reframing GLP-1s as disease-treating tools rather than vanity products. The fight for body diversity is framed as a social-justice issue that remains ongoing despite changing trends.

via Axios|

#body-image #body-positivity #glp-1-drugs

health1 month ago•15 min saved

Waitlist credit to offset race bias in Black kidney transplant candidates

A policy change provides waiting-list credit to Black kidney transplant candidates to offset harms from race-based testing, aiming to reduce disparities and improve access to kidney transplants.

via AP News|

#black-patients #health #health-equity

health2 months ago•5 min saved

New pulse oximeter bias findings muddy the path to fixes for darker skin tones

A prospective FDA-funded study called EquiOx measured 631 patients with pulse oximeters against arterial blood gases to quantify bias across skin tones. The preprint results were surprising: they suggested pulse oximeters may underestimate oxygen levels in darker-skinned patients, while also showing higher readings in darker versus lighter skin tones, a combination that undermines a simple universal correction. With the study not yet peer-reviewed, clinicians face unclear guidance on how to adjust readings, and questions remain about study design and applicability. Funding gaps and political pressures around health disparities add to delays in final FDA guidance and larger multi-site research plans, though researchers are pursuing broader datasets and international collaboration (e.g., Uganda) to resolve the issue.

via statnews.com|

#equiox #fda #health

health1 year ago•16 min saved

"Early Detection Key to Combating Breast Cancer in Younger Women"

Younger women are increasingly being diagnosed with breast cancer, with rates rising over the past 20 years. Improved screening practices, including earlier mammograms and genetic testing, are crucial for early detection and better outcomes. Health equity initiatives, such as mobile mammogram services, aim to make preventive care more accessible, especially for underserved communities. Understanding individual risk factors and ensuring timely screenings can save lives, as highlighted by the story of Cari Moskow Beegle, a breast cancer survivor diagnosed at 36.

via Atlanta Magazine|

#brca-gene #breast-cancer #health

healthcare2 years ago•6 min saved

"Thea James of BMC Works to Address Racial Health Disparities"

Thea James, vice president of mission and associate chief medical officer at Boston Medical Center, is leading efforts to reduce racial health disparities by prioritizing patient input and empowerment. Through the Health Equity Accelerator initiative, BMC has seen promising results in reducing racial disparities in diabetes risk and postpartum readmissions. By focusing on patient needs and experiences, BMC has implemented simple but effective solutions, such as a blood pressure monitoring strap and standardized protocols, to improve maternal health outcomes and address racial disparities in healthcare.

via The Boston Globe|

#boston-medical-center #health-equity #healthcare

health2 years ago•5 min saved

"Overcoming Bias: Improving Access to Kidney Transplants for Black Patients"

Thousands of Black kidney transplant candidates have had their wait times modified after a racially biased organ test overestimated their kidney function, delaying their access to transplants. The U.S. organ transplant network ordered hospitals to use race-neutral test results, and more than 14,300 Black kidney transplant candidates have had their wait times adjusted. This is part of a larger effort to address racial bias in medical algorithms and restore faith in the health system, as Black Americans are over three times more likely than white people to experience kidney failure.

via The Associated Press|

#health #health-equity #kidney-transplant

entertainment2 years ago•1 min saved

Oprah's Impact on Weight Stigma and Treatment Access

Oprah Winfrey's new special, "Shame, Blame, and the Weight Loss Revolution," premiered on ABC and is now available for streaming on Hulu. In the special, Winfrey shares her personal weight loss journey and discusses strategies to release the shame and stigma surrounding weight. The program aims to bring together medical experts and leaders in the space to address health equity and obesity.

via Entertainment Tonight|

#entertainment #health-equity #obesity

entertainment2 years ago•2 min saved

"Oprah's ABC Special: Exploring the Impact of Weight Loss Medications"

Oprah Winfrey is set to host a primetime special on ABC about weight loss drugs following her departure from the board of WeightWatchers, where she revealed her personal use of such medications. Titled “An Oprah Special: Shame, Blame and the Weight Loss Revolution,” the hour-long special will feature medical experts and individuals who have used weight loss medications, aiming to destigmatize and educate viewers on the topic of weight loss. The special will address questions about the intended recipients of these medications, eligibility criteria, and potential side effects. Oprah's decision to step down from the WeightWatchers board came after she publicly disclosed her use of weight loss drugs, emphasizing the importance of recognizing obesity as a chronic condition and advocating for health equity.

via Variety|

#entertainment #health-equity #obesity

health-tech2 years ago•2 min saved

"FDA Clears Dexcom's Stelo as First Over-the-Counter Continuous Glucose Monitor"

The FDA has approved the first over-the-counter continuous glucose monitor, the Dexcom Stelo Glucose Biosensor System, designed for individuals 18 years and older who do not use insulin. This integrated CGM allows users to monitor and analyze glucose levels using a wearable sensor and a smartphone app, providing valuable information about their health without the involvement of a healthcare provider. However, it is not intended for individuals with problematic hypoglycemia. This approval aligns with the FDA's goal of advancing health equity by expanding access to valuable health information for all patients.

via FDA.gov|

#continuous-glucose-monitor #dexcom-stelo #fda

health-and-wellness2 years ago•2 min saved

"Oprah Winfrey's Departure Spells Trouble for WeightWatchers"

Oprah Winfrey is stepping down from the board of directors at WeightWatchers after revealing her use of weight loss medication. She will not seek re-election and plans to donate her earnings from WeightWatchers stock to charity to avoid any conflict of interest. Winfrey aims to continue advocating for health equity and addressing obesity as a chronic condition. Her decision comes after opening up about the shame surrounding weight loss drugs and emphasizing the importance of addressing obesity as a disease.

via USA TODAY|

#board-of-directors #health-and-wellness #health-equity

education2 years ago•2 min saved

"UCLA Medical School Urges Abolition of Borders, Dismisses Crisis as 'Imagined': Report"

First-year medical students at UCLA's medical school were reportedly assigned readings advocating for the abolition of borders as a "medical intervention" in a required course on "Structural Racism and Health Equity." The assigned documents included scholarly papers and interviews with activists calling for a "no borders system" and attributing health disparities among migrants to border enforcement, capitalism, war, and climate emergency. A medical transparency group, Do No Harm, criticized the school for promoting "absurd descent into anarchic views of national borders," while the UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

via Fox News|

#activism #borders #education

healthcareregulation2 years ago•8 min saved

FDA Urged to Address Skin Color Bias in Pulse Oximeters

During a public meeting, patients, researchers, and advocates urged the FDA to take swift action to ensure pulse oximeters work well in patients with darker skin, better inform clinicians about their limitations, and recall problematic versions. Testimony highlighted the frustration over the lack of progress in addressing the devices' inaccuracies in darker-skinned patients, leading to delayed treatment and potential harm. The FDA is considering using the Monk skin tone scale to improve testing and performance standards, but panelists expressed concerns about sample sizes and the need for more transparency from device manufacturers. While FDA officials and panelists are committed to making the devices more equitable, they emphasized the importance of careful and deliberate changes to avoid introducing additional harms or reducing access.

via STAT|

#fda #health-equity #healthcareregulation

health2 years ago•4 min saved

Rising Incidence of HPV-Related Cervical Cancer in Women in Their 30s and 40s

While cervical cancer rates have declined overall, the incidence among women in their 30s and 40s has been rising, possibly due to lower screening rates and confusion about screening guidelines. The HPV vaccine has led to a significant drop in cervical cancer rates for women in their early 20s, but those who were too old for the vaccine may be at higher risk. Efforts to improve education and reminders for screenings, as well as ensuring follow-up care for abnormal results, are crucial in addressing this concerning trend.

via NBC News|

#cancer-screening #cervical-cancer #health

health2 years ago•4 min saved

"Transforming Two Decades of Suffering into Activism"

Diane Talbert, who has lived with psoriatic disease for decades, faced challenges in getting a proper diagnosis and treatment due to medical bias and lack of representation of skin conditions on people of color in medical textbooks. Now an advocate for health equity, she is working to improve care for people of color with psoriatic disease, partnering with organizations and sharing her story to raise awareness and provide support for others facing similar struggles.

via Essence|

#advocacy #dermatology #health