The neighborhood a child lives in can greatly affect their health, especially after surgery. This is particularly true for kids who have had a gastrostomy tube inserted. This tube helps with feeding, but it also means more hospital visits. Why? Because where a child lives can make a big difference in their long-term health outcomes. The link between a child's neighb...
Cirrhosis is a serious condition that takes many lives in the United States. It is not just about bad habits or genetics. There is more to the story. The circumstances in which people live, work, and play have a big impact on their health. These are called social determinants of health. They include things like where you live, how much money you make, and your l...
Women in Brazil faced many challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. One of the biggest was getting medical help. A recent study looked into this problem. It focused on how skin color, money, and education affected women's ability to see a doctor. The study involved over a thousand women in the city of Vitória. The women were 18 or older. The study found that 6. 6% of...
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a serious issue. It hits African American communities harder than white communities. This is due to several factors. These include money problems, lifestyle choices, biological differences, and cultural beliefs. Also, screening rates are lower. And, survival rates are lower too, even when caught at the same stage. This is where the Te...
Refugees from war-torn countries have found a new home in the United States. While they gain access to health insurance, a significant gap exists in their use of preventive healthcare, especially cancer screenings. The U. S. Preventative Services Task Force advises regular checks for breast, cervical, and colorectal cancers. These cancers are highly treatable if caug...
In 2017, China took a big step to improve healthcare for its rural workers. These folks often move to cities for jobs and face big hurdles when trying to get medical help. The government introduced a new policy. It allows these workers to get money back right away for medical treatments in different provinces. The goal was to make healthcare more accessible and reduc...
The impact of social and structural factors on health differences is well-documented. These factors are the conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work, and age. These factors shape how healthy people are and how long they live. For Black adults, the percentage of African genetic ancestry (AGA) has been proposed as a potential risk factor for common disease...
The words doctors use in patient notes can reveal hidden biases. These biases might worsen health issues for certain groups. It is important to understand how a patient's race or background affects the language used in their medical records. This can help in tackling health inequalities and improving care. Medical notes are not just records. They can influence h...
The Latino community in Santa Clara County faces serious health challenges. These issues are not new, but a recent health assessment has brought them into sharp focus. The report highlights that Latinos in the county experience higher rates of gun violence, obesity, and deaths from diabetes and heart disease compared to the average resident. This is a significant pro...
The events of 11 September 2001 brought together a mix of first responders, volunteers, and other workers to the World Trade Center (WTC) site. These individuals faced significant health risks due to their exposure at the site. The WTC Health Program (WTCHP) was created to support these workers. But not everyone received the help they needed. A recent study looked...