Center on Health Equity & Access

Despite overall growth in the radiology workforce, the proportion of pediatric radiologists specifically decreased from 2016 to 2023.

Extended hospital stays among Medicare Advantage beneficiaries translated to an estimated 1.8 million additional hospital bed days in 2022.

Disparities in lung cancer biomarker testing show barriers that delay diagnosis and treatment for lower-income patients, according to Sandip P. Patel, MD.

While body mass index (BMI) accurately identified excess adiposity in nearly all children and adolescents with obesity, it failed to detect many of those without obesity who still had excess body fat.

Patients with ovarian cancer who undergo BRCA testing face higher health care resource utilization (HCRU) and costs but are more likely to receive genomically targeted therapies and progress to later lines of treatment (LOT).

Jack Tsai, PhD, MSCP, emphasized that comparing the methods of different jurisdictions can aid decision-making as the new executive order is enacted.

Social determinants of health were associated with a younger age of first hospitalization for heart failure in Black and Hispanic patients when compared with Asian and White patients.

Ovarian cancer deaths remain uneven across age, geography, and racial and ethnic groups, highlighting the need for targeted interventions.

Kristen R. Choi, PhD, PMHNP-BC, FAAN, discussed how the new executive order aimed at addressing homelessness could result in adverse consequences.

Jorge Nieva, MD, explores the challenges of translating biomarker testing into treatment decisions for non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), the role of repeat testing in detecting resistance mutations, and the importance of equitable access to molecular diagnostics in value-based care settings.

UPMC Health Plan's Dental Care Management Program enhances oral health access and literacy, focusing on education and community engagement for underserved populations.

There are significant health care disparities in overdose recovery resources, emphasizing the need for better connections between opioid treatment programs and recovery centers.

Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who smoke were less likely to receive tobacco dependence treatment (TDT) if they lived in rural areas or had longer travel times to care, highlighting persistent geographic disparities in access.

A global analysis showed that absolute deaths and disability-adjusted life-years related to smoking-attributable rheumatoid arthritis have continued to rise since 1990.

Women with HIV who were Hispanic, Haitian, or African American were more likely to adhere to antiretroviral therapy (ART) if they had culturally sensitive care.

Medicaid expansion significantly improves health coverage and access, yet several Southern states face a persistent coverage gap amid political challenges.

Yale Podnos, MD, MPH, FACS, discusses strategies to address social determinants of health in oncology, improve clinical trial enrollment for underserved communities, and leverage value-based care models to reduce financial toxicity and ensure equitable cancer care.

Daniel Virnich, MD, highlights the need for proactive social determinants of health screening, language-inclusive clinical trial practices, value-based treatment decisions, and policy reforms to improve equitable access to cancer care.

Targeted “Food is Medicine” interventions can help individuals with diet-sensitive chronic conditions improve their health, but nationally representative survey and qualitative interviews showed low awareness despite high interest among respondents.

Housing assistance significantly reduces medical financial hardship for renters with a history of cancer, enhancing their financial security and access to care amid rising health costs.

New research highlights which US counties lead in patient experience, health outcomes, and cost efficiency—and the policies that drive success.

The FDA has approved an updated COVID-19 booster while limiting access to high-risk individuals, amid ongoing debates on vaccine safety and efficacy.

Patients with acute respiratory failure who’ve been placed on a mechanical ventilator are less likely to be transferred to high-volume centers if they are uninsured, thus increasing their odds of mortality.

Medical school application and matriculation rates decreased for underrepresented racial and ethnic minorities in medicine after the 2023 Supreme Court affirmative action repeal.

In this episode, Richard A. Brook, MS, MBA, discusses his study showing that infertility treatment coverage increases assisted reproductive technology (ART) use and improves pregnancy outcomes.