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Black representation in the boardrooms of health care organizations remains insufficient to help meet the needs of the communities they serve despite modest progress made in recent years, according to a new analysis from the nonprofit Black Directors Health Equity Agenda. Among that group, 66% of Black board members were men and 34% were Black women. The report’s release coincides with a BDHEA summit convening in the nation’s capital this week that will focus on board diversity and other key issues of health equity. A similar diversity trend was found among the country’s top health care payers, such as insurers. A limited understanding of the value of diversity and key topics such as implicit bias, health equity, and the importance of addressing the social determinants of health.

Persons: –, “, ”, Deborah Phillips, ’, SCOTUS Organizations: Black, Health, –, EY Center for Health Equity, ”, Association of American Medical, U.S, Supreme Locations: U.S

A study released Thursday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found 6.4% of adults living alone had feelings of depression in 2021, compared with 4.1% of adults living with others. Overall, 4.5% of adults reported feelings of depression in 2021, with a higher proportion among women (5.2%) than men (3.7%). Among Hispanic adults living alone, 7.3% reported feelings of depression compared with 3.2% from that group who lived with others. Approximately 6.7% of Black adults living alone reported depression versus 4.5% living with others, while 6.3% of white adults living alone reported depression compared with 4.3% who lived with others. While a higher percentage of adults living alone reported feelings of depression compared to those living with others across all household income levels, a higher proportion was found among poorer adults.

Persons: ”, Vivek Murthy Organizations: Valentine's, Centers for Disease Control, U.S Locations: U.S, San Mateo County, Silicon

Maternal syphilis rates increased each year of the study period, ranging from a 15% rise from 2017 to 2018 to a 32% rise from 2021 to 2022. Syphilis rates increased for mothers of all maternal age groups throughout the study period. Maternal syphilis rates increased across all racial and ethnic groups each year from 2016 to 2022. The maternal syphilis rate among white non-Hispanic mothers rose 315% from 2016 to 2022, while Hispanic mothers experienced an increase of 243%. Asian mothers had the lowest maternal syphilis rate of any racial or ethnic group in 2022, at 73.3 per 100,000.

Persons: Alaska –, Joe Biden, Debra Houry Organizations: Centers for Disease Control, Prevention’s National Center for Health Statistics, CDC, D.C, South Dakota ., ” Locations: U.S, Washington, Maine, South Dakota, New Mexico , Colorado , Mississippi, South Dakota , Montana, Alaska, Louisiana , New Jersey , New York , Ohio, Virginia , Idaho, Utah, Maine , Vermont, Wyoming

From 1999 to 2020, Black women were on average six times more likely than white women to be a victim of homicide, according to a new study, with researchers pointing to structural social inequities as fueling their higher risk. In 2020, the homicide rate for Black women was 11.6 homicides per 100,000 women, compared to a relatively static rate of 3 per 100,000 among white women in the same age group. Wisconsin, in particular, saw the largest disparity of any state overall, with the homicide rate among Black women more than 20 times that of white women from 2019 through 2020. Study authors said this marks a “disturbing increase” from the period between 1999 and 2003, when the homicide rate among Black women was six times that of white women. “Structural racism might provide insight as to why Black women, regardless of their ethnicity, face disproportionately high rates of homicide,” the study stated.

Persons: “, ”, Bernadine Waller, ” Waller, they’re Organizations: National Institute of Mental Health, Columbia University Irving Medical, D.C, U.S . News, Wisconsin Locations: Midwest, South, West, Virginia, Alabama, Florida . Wisconsin, In Wisconsin , Missouri, Arizona, Oklahoma, Washington

Vending machines offering tests for sexually transmitted infections hold promise as a way to reach people with sexual health services, according to a study that comes on the heels of recent increases in STIs in both the U.S. and England. For the study, published in the journal Sexually Transmitted Infections, researchers analyzed data associated with nearly a dozen vending machines in two regions of England that were stocked with free kits to help detect chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis and HIV. Approximately 6% of the STI tests were positive for chlamydia, while 2.5% tested positive for gonorrhea, according to the study. A total of four samples tested positive for HIV, though they were from people already known to be HIV positive, and three tests came back positive for syphilis antibodies. Previous research suggests vending machines that offer self-tests for HIV can lead to increased uptake in testing among men who have sex with men, and the latest study adds to those findings.

Persons: “, what’s, ”, Aaron Glatt, Glatt Organizations: U.S, World Health Organization, The Washington Post, Department of Medicine, Infectious Diseases Society of America Locations: STIs, England, Black, U.S, Mount Sinai South Nassau, New York

The latest estimates released on Thursday by the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer, predict a 77% global increase in new cancer cases in 2050, up from the 20 million estimated in 2022. As a result, the number of cancer deaths worldwide is expected to double by 2050 to an estimated 18.5 million compared to 9.7 million in 2022. The estimated number of cancer cases in Asia, which had the most in the world at more than 9.8 million in 2022, is expected to increase 77% in 2050 to total 17.4 million cases. Researchers attribute the expected rise in cancer cases to several risk factors. As the likelihood of cancer increases with age, projected growth in the world’s elderly population is likely to lead to a rise in cancer cases, according to the report.

Organizations: World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research, Cancer, United Nations Locations: Africa, Asia

People who experience food insecurity are at greater risk of dying prematurely and living a shorter life after age 50, researchers say, underscoring how a fairly prevalent problem can impact individual health. Researchers also found estimated life expectancy at age 50 was 32.5 years among individuals with full food security, compared with 29.9 years among adults with marginal food security, 30 years among those with low food security and 28 years among individuals with very low food security. By gender, the new study found women with very low food security lived an average of 5.8 years less at age 50 compared with women with full food security. Men with very low food security, meanwhile, had a life expectancy three years shorter than men with full food security at that age threshold. For example, whites with very low food security lived 6.2 fewer years on average at age 50 than whites with full food security.

Persons: ”, “ Organizations: Medicine, Centers for Disease Control Locations: U.S

The total for the latest open enrollment period marks a 30% increase from a year ago, based on past enrollment figures published by the health policy research organization KFF. Officials said the figures include 5 million new signups and more than 16 million people with 2023 ACA plan coverage. West Virginia, which has expanded Medicaid, saw the largest percentage increase in enrollment at 80%. “Marketplace coverage is very important to those in those states whose incomes are under 138% of poverty,” says Sara Collins, vice president for health care coverage and access and tracking health system performance for The Commonwealth Fund. “It is a reflection of the lack of Medicaid expansion in those states.”An analysis by KFF notes ACA health plan enrollment has increased each year during the Biden administration.

Persons: It’s, Xavier Becerra, “, ”, Sara Collins, KFF, Biden, Donald Trump, Trump, Cynthia Cox, Cox, signups, ” Cox, Collins, ” Collin Organizations: Biden, “, Social Security, Affordable, ” Department of Health, Human Services, District of Columbia, Commonwealth Fund, American Locations: Texas, enrollees, Florida, West Virginia, signups

On the 51st anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court case that enshrined a woman’s right to an abortion, Biden and Harris announced new rules and guidance about contraceptives and abortion and a national tour by Harris to call attention to the issue. Biden and Harris, as well as Democrats down the ticket are positioning themselves as the protectors of abortion rights and casting the Dobbs decision that left abortion access to the states as harmful to women. And Democrats have seen a series of victories in races and credit their position on abortion rights with getting voters to the polls. But, ballot measures to ensure abortion rights were passed in California, Michigan, Vermont while voters in Kansas, Kentucky and Montana voted down proposals that would have rolled back protections. Democrats hope the issue will propel Biden and Harris to victory in 2024.

Persons: Joe Biden, Kamala Harris, Roe, Wade, Biden, Harris, Xavier Becerra, Dobbs, ” Biden, “, Donald Trump Organizations: Democratic, Affordable, of Health, Human Services, Labor, Republican Locations: Ohio, Kentucky, Michigan, Kansas, California, California , Michigan , Vermont, Kansas , Kentucky, Montana, Wisconsin

The number of new cancer cases in the U.S. is expected to top 2 million for the first time in 2024, based on new research that also points to shifting age patterns among cancer patients and a troubling increase in overall cancer incidence among people younger than 50 . The American Cancer Society’s latest statistical report, released on Wednesday, says the country’s cancer mortality rate fell by 33% from 1991 through 2021. Prostate cancer incidence increased by about 3% per year after experiencing a nearly 40% drop from 2007 to 2014. Overall, researchers project 2,001,140 new cancer cases and 611,720 cancer deaths will occur in the U.S. in 2024. Lisa Lacasse, president of the American Cancer Society’s advocacy affiliate, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, said the report’s findings underscore a need for policies that help to address such disparities.

Persons: “ We’re, ” Rebecca Siegel, we’ve, ”, Ahmedin Jemal, Jemal, Lisa Lacasse Organizations: Cancer, American Cancer Society, American, Pacific, American Cancer, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network Locations: U.S, California, Wyoming . U.S, Maine, Utah, Alaska, Pacific Islander

The U.S. is no stranger to measles cases, though these incidents come amid concerns about vaccine hesitancy and lowered immunity leaving people at risk. Where Measles Cases Have Been ReportedOfficials with the Philadelphia Department of Public Health are tracking a measles outbreak totaling eight confirmed cases in the area. Over the weekend, health officials in Camden County, New Jersey, said they were “closely monitoring” a confirmed measles case there. At the same time, annual data shows measles cases occur in the U.S. each year. In 2019, the U.S. saw nearly 1,300 measles cases across 31 states, marking the highest number since 1992 and a record high since measles was considered eliminated from the country.

Persons: Ronald Reagan, who’s, – Organizations: Philadelphia Department of Public Health, Nemours Children’s Hospital, Washington , D.C, Virginia Department of Health, Dulles International Airport, Ronald Reagan Washington National, Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, “ Health, Birmingham Children’s Hospital, Centers for Disease Control, CDC Locations: United Kingdom, The U.S, Camden County , New Jersey, Delaware, Philadelphia, Nemours, Wilmington, Washington ,, Ronald Reagan Washington, Washington, Clark, Wahkiakum, U.S, England, Wales, Birmingham, New York City, United States

Average life expectancy in the U.S. rebounded in 2022 by a little over a year following two straight declines, fueled largely by a drop in mortality tied to COVID-19. Still, last year’s increase in life expectancy was not large enough to put the U.S. back at its immediate pre-pandemic levels, instead placing it on par with life expectancy in the early 2000s. By gender, average life expectancy increased 1.3 years among men to 74.8 years in 2022, compared with a 0.9-year increase among women to 80.2 years. The gap in life expectancy between women and men also narrowed in 2022 to 5.4 years compared with 5.8 years in 2021. Life expectancy among Black people increased by 1.6 years from 71.2 in 2021 to 72.8 in 2022, according to the report.

Persons: ”, – Organizations: Centers for Disease Control, Prevention’s National Center for Health Statistics, CDC Locations: U.S, “, America, COVID, Alaska

Ricardo Pires, a spokesman for UNICEF, says his organization urgently needs access to Gaza to facilitate the movement of supplies and relief workers. In response, Israel sealed border crossings with Gaza as it began targeting Hamas positions. Pires says UNICEF currently has amassed supplies in Egypt that are ready for delivery into Gaza once the Rafah crossing – the sole border crossing with Egypt – reopens. Biden told reporters the U.S. plans to coordinate with the Egyptian government to repair the roads into Gaza. “Water supplies are reaching a life-threatening low across Gaza amidst the sustained blockade,” Slater says.

Persons: Biden, Ricardo Pires, ”, Joe Biden, –, Pires, Egypt –, ” Pires, “ They’re, Meredith Slater, ” Slater, Slater, Elis Organizations: UNICEF, West Bank, The New York Times, Palestinian Ministry of Health, ”, ActionAid USA, ActionAid International, Jewish Federations of America Locations: Gaza, Israel, U.S, Egypt, Rafah

Conducted as part of the 2023 Best Countries rankings, the survey found that nearly 93% of respondents agreed with the statement, “Mental health care is just as important as physical health care.”Though the level of support varied across countries and age groups, nearly 55% of survey respondents said they “strongly agree” with the idea that mental health care was as important as physical health care, compared to 1.2% who said they “strongly disagree.”Worldwide, the survey found a higher share of women agreed that mental health care was as important as physical health care. Among the respondents 55 years of age and older, 96% agreed that mental health care was as important as physical health care, compared to 87% of respondents between 18 and 24. Kenya had the highest share of respondents of any country who said they “strongly agree” that mental health care is as important as physical health care, at 77%. Mental health has been a particularly large concern in Kenya, where according to the WHO, an estimated one in every four people who seek health care in the country has a mental health condition. Overall, the survey’s findings help to highlight concerns that the rise in mental health disorders has become a public health threat for many countries.

Persons: ” Organizations: U.S ., WHO Locations: U.S, Indonesia, Thailand, Kenya, Finland, Denmark, Sweden, Germany, Israel, Vietnam, South Korea, Japan, France, China

The program, called the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief Program, or PEPFAR, started in 2003 by President George W. Bush. Congress missed the Sept. 30 deadline to renew funding for PEPFAR before it expired. The policy had not been included as a part of PEPFAR funding until 2017, when the Trump administration expanded the policy to include it as a part of the program. Advocates for PEPFAR contend the program does not directly or indirectly fund abortion services. For some countries, the health benefits of the PEPFAR program go beyond its mission of reducing the spread of AIDS.

Persons: George W, Joe Biden, PEPFAR, “, ”, Chris Smith, Biden, Ronald Reagan, Trump, Bush, George Ingram, Matthew Miller, ” Miller, reauthorization, Ingram, ” Ingram, Carlos del Rio Organizations: U.S, President’s, AIDS Relief, U.S . State Department, PEPFAR, Congress, House Republicans, Biden Administration, House Global Health, Senate, Senators, Republicans, Center for Sustainable Development, Brookings Institute, Kaiser Family Foundation, Program, Emory University School of Medicine, State, Committee, Infectious Diseases Society of America Locations: U.S, New Jersey, Mexico, Washington, Africa, China, Russia

But Mintz also acknowledges that having more places to access PrEP likely will not be enough to substantially increase its use in more vulnerable communities. “There needs to be a couple of levers that need to be pulled for everybody to access PrEP who are eligible to access PrEP,” Mintz says. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)Meanwhile, a pending ruling in a federal appellate court looms as a threat that could more broadly undermine PrEP coverage. “We don’t know what the 5th Circuit could do.”In the wake of the March court ruling, insurers expressed support for preventive services. “Right now, PrEP uptake is quite good among gay white men, but among people of color and among women PrEP access is quite limited,” Dawson says.

Persons: Apretude, ”, Omar Martinez Gonzalez, Sean Bland, we’re, ” Bland, Truvada, ” Martinez Gonzalez, Laura Mintz, Mintz, ” Mintz, Truvada –, AIDSVu, Joe Raedle, Laurie Sobel, “, ” Sobel, Lindsey Dawson, ” Dawson, Torrian Baskerville, Baskerville, ” Baskerville, who’d, Biden, Bland Organizations: U.S . Preventive Services Task Force, U.S . Food, Drug Administration, Affordable, AIDS Foundation Chicago, “, Centers for Disease Control, Santa Clara University School of Law, Georgetown University’s O’Neill Institute for National, Global Health, Blacks, PrEP, Emory University, Gilead Sciences, Black PrEP, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Pride Network of, ViiV Healthcare, GlaxoSmithKline, U.S, Circuit, Appeals, Supreme, Human Rights, Navigators, Department of Health, Human Services Locations: U.S, Black, Cleveland, Gilead, –, Miami, Texas, Ohio

Overall, an FDA spokesperson says that “trial participants should reflect the population that is likely to use the product if FDA-approved. Across a group of 10 novel cancer therapies approved by the FDA in 2022, data shows the share of Black participants in key clinical trials ranged from zero to 8%. “Access to clinical trials at the sites where patients are living is an important factor to changing the landscape,” Perez says. “There’s been some novel ways to recruit patients, like using the church and using barbershops to recruit Black patients,” Cho says. Haddad says a number of Mayo patients were receiving experimental therapies through clinical trials when the pandemic began.

Persons: ”, Leslie Cho, Robert, Suzanne Tomsich, it’s, Edith Perez, Bolt Biotherapeutics, ” Perez, Eli Lilly, “, Lilly “, they’ll, Craig Lipset, ” Lipset, ” Cho, “ There’s, Dr, Tufia Haddad, Haddad, Mayo, Jennifer Dahne, Larry Hawk, Hawk Organizations: Women’s Cardiovascular, Cleveland Clinic, of Cardiovascular Medicine, U.S . Food, Drug Administration, FDA, “, Health, Committee, Cancer, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Centers for Disease Control, Research Alliance, Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center, Care, Mayo’s Center for Digital Health, College of Medicine, Medical University of South, of Psychology, University, Buffalo, SUNY, JAMA Locations: U.S, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Los Angeles County, Alaska, “, Medical University of South Carolina

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