Health Equity & Access Weekly Roundup: June 2, 2025

Ovarian Cancer Survival Gaps Persist Across Racial, Ethnic Groups

Persistent racial and age disparities in ovarian cancer mortality were demonstrated in a pair of abstracts presented ahead of the 2025 American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting, with particular attention to overlooked differences within Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) populations. Although AANHPI groups showed the lowest overall mortality rates, disaggregated data highlighted significant survival disparities among subgroups, with Native Hawaiian and Southeast Asian women experiencing worse outcomes compared with East Asian women. A 21-year analysis of US mortality trends also showed overall declines but continued elevated death rates among older and non-Hispanic White women. Researchers emphasized the need for targeted interventions and more nuanced data reporting to advance equity and address these disparities effectively.

Future of Mental Health Parity Landscape Up in the Air Based on Trump Administration Actions: Ali Khawar

Ali Khawar, former principal deputy assistant secretary at the Employee Benefits Security Administration in the US Department of Labor, expressed deep concern over actions by the Trump administration that he believes will hinder progress toward achieving parity in coverage for mental health and substance use treatment. Khawar highlighted budget cuts, personnel reductions, and policy decisions that indicate a significant retreat from supporting these critical health issues. He emphasized the absence of a clear strategy or public plan from the administration to address ongoing challenges like the opioid epidemic and mental health conditions, suggesting these decisions jeopardize the credibility and effectiveness of federal efforts.

Suboptimal Care for PAH Persists Among Women

A survey-based study presented at the 2025 American Thoracic Society International Conference highlighted the need for better disease awareness, communication, and treatment for women with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), particularly those of childbearing age. The study, which included respondents primarily from the US, UK, Canada, and Germany, revealed that many women relied on internet searches and social media for information on PAH-related pregnancy risks. Notably, a significant number reported dismissive attitudes from health care providers, especially related to gender and lifestyle, and expressed profound grief over infertility due to their diagnosis. The findings emphasize the emotional, financial, and educational challenges these women face, underscoring the importance of more empathetic and informed care.

1 in 3 Minors Facing Mental Health Crisis Experience 12-Hour ED Waits

One in 3 children and adolescents experiencing a mental health crisis waited more than 12 hours in the emergency department (ED) for admission or transfer, far exceeding the Joint Commission's 4-hour recommendation and highlighting severe gaps in pediatric mental health care. The recent study analyzed national data from 2018 to 2022 and found that prolonged ED stays, or "boarding," were more common among publicly insured and minority youth, especially during school months, and often occurred in adult hospitals with limited pediatric resources. The COVID-19 pandemic worsened these delays, reflecting broader systemic issues. Experts emphasize the urgent need for policy and infrastructure changes, including improved Medicaid reimbursement, expanded telehealth and school-based services, and new models like psychiatric urgent care to address the growing youth mental health crisis.

Dialysis Outcomes Tied to Nephrologist Facility Quality, Widening Racial Inequities

Many patients with end-stage kidney disease begin dialysis at their nephrologist’s primary facility—even when those facilities are low quality—due largely to geographic proximity, according to a cohort study of over 140,000 Medicare beneficiaries. The study revealed that facility choice was more influenced by closeness than quality, despite higher-quality dialysis centers being associated with better outcomes, including fewer hospitalizations. Importantly, Black patients were significantly less likely than White patients to receive care at high-quality facilities or from nephrologists affiliated with them, contributing to persistent racial disparities in dialysis care. The authors suggest that these disparities and the mismatch between quality and utilization may require policy reforms, such as incentives to relocate or expand high-quality facilities and efforts to improve the visibility and use of quality rating systems.