The lasting impact of hospital segregation
What drives hospital segregation and how can we combat this trend? More
Racism impacts health – how do we account for it?
Why is it equitable to take race into account in healthcare in some cases but not others? The answer lies in the distinction between race and racism. More
Uncovering health disparities by race, ethnicity, and education
Recent research on racial and socioeconomic health disparities shows how far we still have to go to have better health for all. More
Overdiagnosis of schizophrenia in nursing homes is rampant, especially for Black residents.
Overuse of antipsychotic medications is a long-standing problem among nursing home residents with dementia. However, a 2012 policy to address the problem may have unintentionally created a new problem of overdiagnosis. More
Digital redlining: How telehealth can exacerbate inequalities
The rapid switch to telehealth has many potential advantages for expanding access of care. However, if not done with an intentional eye toward equity, telehealth can leave many behind. More
Overcoming Covid-19 disparities in American Indian and Alaska Native communities
For Indigenous People's Day, we're sharing how American Indian and Alaska Native communities' experiences with Covid-19 highlight both the struggles and the accomplishments toward reducing health disparities. More
Can clinical guidelines fix racial health disparities?
Racial disparities in the incidence and outcomes of chronic kidney disease create significant public health problems. A new study shows that we have to tackle both the medical and the social factors to close this health gap. More
Racist redlining policies still have an impact on health
Can a policy that was outlawed more than 50 years ago still have an impact today? A recent study on health disparities among residents of formerly "redlined" communities shows the importance of taking a historical view of health equity issues. More
Many racial health disparities haven’t budged, new research shows
Over the past 20 years, closing these racial health gaps has become a high priority. What kind of progress have we made? A series of articles in JAMA on health equity paints a sobering picture. More
We need health care models that pay for equity, not just “pay for performance”
Value-based payment models may exacerbate racial health disparities. To change this, we need to make equity a part of value -- and reward hospitals for advancing equity. More
“We cannot sit on the sidelines”: Lancet Commission publishes report on public health under Trump
The final report from the Lancet Commission on Public policy and health in the Trump era offers a bold policy agenda for the Biden administration to undo the damage caused to our nation's health. More
Why you can’t buy your way to better health
Do the most privileged Americans get the best care in the world? A new study has some surprising results... More
Prioritizing equity in value-based care
As we move toward value-based care models, how do we prioritize patients that have historically been neglected in our health care system? More
Are Covid-19 resources going to those who need them most?
From drugs to masks to financial assistance, the US government has distributed Covid-19 resources in a way that exacerbates health inequities. How can we make sure that when a vaccine is ready for distribution, that it goes to those who need it most? More
Addressing racism in health services research
At the 2020 Academy Health Research Meeting, presenters dug deep into the subject on everyone's minds: How do we tackle structural racism within health services research? More
Bias in clinical algorithms make health disparities worse
A recent study from NEJM shows how inequality is “baked into the system” through clinical algorithms. More
What Dr. Lown teaches us about medicine and activism
On the week of Dr. Bernard Lown's 99th birthday, we reflect on Dr. Lown's work connecting medical service to social activism, and understanding how this applies today. More
For the health of us all, racism must be dismantled and destroyed: Dr. Vikas Saini
Racism must be destroyed for the health of us all, Dr. Vikas Saini writes, in response to recent police violence and protests. More
VIDEO: Health Disparities and Hospitals
What can hospitals do to address health disparities in their communities? Vikas Saini and Shannon Brownlee answer questions about health disparities in this edition of our new video series, "Lown Hospitals Q&A." More
How hospitals can reduce maternal mortality–even in a pandemic
In recent years, extreme disparities in maternal mortality in the US have been brought to light. Could new hospital policies in the pandemic make these disparities worse? More