Inequities

The U.S infant mortality rate has steadily declined over the past two decades. But some states are starting to see the reverse trend – with the rate of Black infant deaths far outpacing that of White infants.

A lack of data regarding sickle cell disease in the U.S. stunts efforts to improve outcomes for patients. The federally funded Sickle Cell Data Collection Program aims to chip away at these data gaps.

Sickle cell disease was long considered a pediatric illness because it took so many children's lives. Health interventions have made it possible for people with sickle cell in the U.S. to live well into adulthood. But the transition out of pediatric care comes with many challenges.

Sickle cell disease can damage patients’ bodies in ways that affect their ability to have children, and some treatments may also affect fertility. But many in the resource-strapped sickle cell community cannot access fertility treatments.

Sickle cell disease affects mostly Black patients. How the system treats it shows the deep roots of systemic racism.

More states are taking advantage of a provision in the American Rescue Plan that enables pregnant people to keep their Medicaid coverage longer after giving birth.

Health care providers often rely on digital tools to inform treatment decisions. A growing number of hospitals are moving away from factoring race into kidney disease calculations, after recognizing Black patients could be at a disadvantage.

Congress rejected pleas from the White House to pump more money into programs that ensure COVID tests, treatments and vaccines are free for everyone. Public health experts warn the funding cuts will worsen health disparities and hurt those who are already most vulnerable.

U.S. hospitalization rates more than doubled during the latest omicron wave compared to the prior delta wave, according to a new study from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Black adults were more likely to end up hospitalized than White adults, regardless of their vaccination status.

A year ago, the CEOs of Indiana’s four largest hospital systems promised to address racism in health care. Hospital leaders shared updates on their progress at a virtual forum this week, hosted by the Greater Indianapolis NAACP and the Indianapolis Recorder.