health disparities Archives
Study examines social factors and cardiovascular disease risk
Dec. 18, 2023—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.
VUMC initiative to address social drivers of health
Oct. 19, 2023—Vanderbilt University Medical Center has received a federal grant to incorporate social drivers of health into adult primary care with the aim of improving outcomes for patients with multiple chronic conditions.
VUMC receives state grant to evaluate innovative models of nursing care that include screening and responding to social drivers of health
Aug. 15, 2023—Vanderbilt University Medical Center has received a to evaluate innovative models of nursing care that include screening and responding to social drivers of health to better meet the needs of all VUMC patients.
COVID-19’s lingering impact on health
Apr. 6, 2023—A decline in cardiovascular fitness — measured by activity trackers in the All of Us research program — persisted among some groups even after COVID-related restrictions were relaxed, exacerbating health disparities.
Wilkins appointed to National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine committee for Unequal Treatment Revisited
Feb. 16, 2023—Vanderbilt's Consuelo Wilkins, MD, MSCI, has been appointed to the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine (NASEM) committee for Unequal Treatment Revisited.
Federally funded studies into treatment for chronic conditions overlook efficacy in adults with autism, analysis finds
Jan. 13, 2023—Physical health disparity conditions in autistic adults have not been the focus of any research funded by the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) in the last four decades, an analysis of a federal database found.
Researchers develop framework for multiancestry genomic studies
Dec. 8, 2022—Vanderbilt researchers have developed a framework for the analysis of multiancestry, large-scale genomic studies across multiple biobanks.
Minority patients less likely to have amyloid plaques necessary for Alzheimer’s treatments
Oct. 3, 2022—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.
Genotype-specific blood counts
Aug. 11, 2022—Vanderbilt researchers report genotype-specific reference ranges to improve interpretation of laboratory blood results in African Americans with a common gene variant that lowers white blood cell counts.
VUMC, Harvard Medical School named to join AMAF consortium to address LGBTQ+ health disparities
Aug. 2, 2022—Vanderbilt University Medical Center and Harvard Medical School will participate in the American Medical Association Foundation National LGBTQ+ Fellowship Program consortium of institutions.
Black patients with cancer face worse COVID outcomes: study
Mar. 31, 2022—Vanderbilt researchers have found that Black patients with cancer experienced significantly worse outcomes after COVID-19 diagnosis than non-Hispanic white cancer patients.
Diet and colorectal cancer risk
Feb. 14, 2022—Higher dietary intake of antioxidant compounds found in fruits, vegetables, teas and spices was associated with lower risk of colorectal cancer, and intake was lower among Black participants, potentially contributing to colorectal cancer health disparities.