MFP/ANA e-Newsletter: April 1, 2022

HEALTH DISPARITY RELATED ARTICLES

Disaggregating Race/Ethnicity Data Categories: Criticisms, Dangers, And Opposing Viewpoints (opens new window)

Conducting health equity research relies on complete, accurate information about race and ethnicity. However, data quality issues, including race/ethnicity misclassification and data incompleteness, remain challenges. Disaggregating the standard minimum US federal race (American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian, Black or African American, Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander, White) and ethnicity (Hispanic or Latino) categories into smaller groups may reduce missing data on questionnaires, uncover health inequities, and allow appropriate allocation of resources to meet community needs. Read more (opens new window)

Scientists find racial and ethnic disparities in use of pediatric acute asthma care (opens new window)

Black children with asthma accessed community health centers (CHCs) less than white children, while Latino children (who prefer to speak either English or Spanish) were more likely to visit CHCs for acute, chronic, and preventive care overall, according to a new, large study. The pattern of low clinic utilization by Black children was accompanied by more frequent emergency department visits compared to the other groups. The difference in utilization at the CHC level suggests there are other factors beyond affordability influencing disparities in health care utilization. The study, published in Annals of Family Medicine, was largely supported by the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD), part of the National Institutes of Health. Read more (opens new window)

Covid-19 pandemic isn’t over for Black Americans, report warns (opens new window)

A searing report released Tuesday by the Black Coalition Against COVID details the immense toll the Covid-19 pandemic has taken — and continues to take — on Black communities, and calls for continued vigilance and action to prevent further losses even as the rest of the nation is eager to move on. Read more (opens new window)

Find a Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) funded health center near you (opens new window)

HRSA-funded health centers deliver high-quality primary health care to people who are uninsured or face other obstacles to receiving healthcare. Services are available to all, regardless of a person’s ability to pay. Find a HRSA health center near you. Read more (opens new window)