racial disparity

December 18, 2023

Study examines social factors and cardiovascular disease risk

Eight social factors were among the top 15 markers of cardiovascular disease risk and could help guide community prevention efforts, according to a new study using machine learning algorithms.

By Paul Govern
October 3, 2022

Minority patients less likely to have amyloid plaques necessary for Alzheimer’s treatments

Fewer Black, Hispanic and Asian patients meet biomarker qualifications for landmark treatments that may slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease by targeting amyloid plaques, according to new findings published in JAMA Neurology.

By Holly Fletcher
September 16, 2021

Structural variants in breast cancer risk genes

Vanderbilt epidemiologists conducted in-depth whole genome sequencing of breast cancer risk genes in Black women, who die at higher rates and have more aggressive disease, to discover mutations that may improve testing and treatment selection.

By Leigh MacMillan
From left, Scott Borinstein, MD, PhD, Jonathan Mosley, MD, PhD, and Sara Van Driest, MD, PhD, found that some healthy African Americans are having bone marrow biopsies they don’t need. (photo by Erin O. Smith)
June 28, 2021

Gene variant linked to unnecessary bone marrow biopsies in African Americans

A gene variant that lowers white blood cell levels and is common in individuals with African ancestry contributes to unnecessary bone marrow biopsies, according to a study published June 28 in JAMA Internal Medicine.

By Leigh MacMillan
April 29, 2021

Genetic ancestry and hypertension risk

Racial disparities in hypertension risk are due in part to genetic differences between ancestries, Vanderbilt investigators find in a study of participants in the Million Veteran Program.

By Bill Snyder
April 6, 2021

Genetic differences in Wilms tumor

Unique somatic gene mutations may contribute to racial disparities in the incidence of Wilms tumor — the most common childhood kidney cancer.

By Leigh MacMillan
October 8, 2020

Computer-based study reveals impact of race on health

A computer-based method developed at Vanderbilt University Medical Center that scans electronic medical records (EMRs) for genetic contributors to disease has been used for the first time to reveal the impact of race on health.
By Bill Snyder
August 6, 2020

Appendix cancer survival in young patients varies by race: study

The first study of appendiceal cancer patterns and survival by race/ethnicity among patients younger than 50 in the U.S. showed survival disparities.
By Leigh MacMillan
July 22, 2020

New data offer insights on COVID treatments for people with cancer

Newly released data on treatment outcomes of people with cancer diagnosed with COVID-19 reveal a racial disparity in access to Remdesivir, an antiviral drug that has been shown to shorten hospital stays, and increased mortality associated with dexamethasone, a steroid that has had the opposite effect in the general patient population.
By Tom Wilemon
July 8, 2020

Video: Dr. Jeff Balser talks about a new plan to eliminate barriers to diversity and inclusion at VUMC

Dr. Jeff Balser announces the formation of a new Task Force led by the Office of Health Equity representing all areas of VUMC and the School of Medicine charged with identifying ways to eliminate barriers to racial equity through immediate and long-term steps.
By VUMC News and Communications
July 8, 2020

Transcript: Dr. Jeff Balser talks about a new plan to eliminate barriers to diversity and inclusion at VUMC

Dr. Jeff Balser announces the formation of a new Task Force led by the Office of Health Equity representing all areas of VUMC and the School of Medicine charged with identifying ways to eliminate barriers to racial equity through immediate and long-term steps.
By VUMC News and Communications
March 19, 2020

Race, hormones and diabetes risk

Variation in the levels of hormones called natriuretic peptides may contribute to racial differences in susceptibility to diabetes, suggesting that this hormone system may be a target for reducing risk of the disease.
By VUMC News and Communications
April 13, 2017

Clue to pulmonary hypertension

Vanderbilt investigators have studied the relationship between race, cardiometabolic traits and pulmonary hypertension.
By Bill Snyder
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