Demography

African American person laying in a hospital bed with a blood pressure monitor, a medical professional in a white coat stands beside the bed.

Addressing systemic inequities linked to readmission for minority stroke patients

Racial minorities are disproportionately affected by stroke. A new study reveals readmissions between Black and white stroke patients may be linked to the level of nurse staffing in the hospitals where they receive care.

Concerned person standing by a window looking at a sheet of paper.

How bankruptcy bias contributes to the racial wealth gap

The wealth gap between Black people and white people is widening, and a new study from Wharton shows how racism plays a key role in keeping minorities from reaching financial equality.

A Black woman standing at a mammogram machine with a mammogram technician in the foreground.

Black women face increased risk of triple negative breast cancers

An analysis of nearly 200,000 patients highlights the heterogeneity of breast cancer risk factors for women of differing races, ages, and disease subtypes.

Elderly African American person waves to a doctor via telemedicine on their smartphone.

Older adults’ access to primary care during the pandemic

Older patients who accessed primary care via telemedicine had lower hospitalization rates, but racial disparities in outcomes of in-person primary care persist, with Black older adults more likely to be hospitalized after a telemedicine visit.

empty street of a small town Main Street with a church on one side of the street.

In rural America, religious attendance reduces compassion regarding opioids

Rural areas—particularly those in Appalachian and Midwestern states—are hard hit by the opioid epidemic. However, many individuals in those same states do not support policies scientifically proven to help, like medically aided treatment and syringe exchanges.

Person making marginalia in a journal in front of a laptop with graphs on paper on the desk.

Women are undercited and men are overcited in communication

An analysis of citations in 14 communication journals found that men are overcited and women are undercited, especially in papers authored by men.

Pregnant person in a mask having their pulse checked by a masked doctor.

Using race to diagnose anemia during pregnancy may increase its risk at delivery

Penn researchers suggest going against national guidelines and standardizing the threshold at which pregnant women are treated for anemia

Row of three-story rowhouses in Philadelphia, some windows boarded up.

City-funded housing repairs in low-income neighborhoods impacts crime rates

Penn Medicine research suggests that investment in structurally damaged homes in low-income and minority neighborhoods are associated with reduced crime and improved public health.

Philadelphia Inquirer

Life expectancy fell by 1.5 years in 2020, mostly due to COVID-19. Here’s what that really means

Samuel H. Preston of the School of Arts & Sciences responded to the pandemic’s negative impact on the U.S. life expectancy, saying it will “bounce back” in the near future.

Middle-aged person sitting on couch looking over paperwork.

Mortgage rates are low: Why aren’t minority homeowners refinancing?

Wharton real estate professor Benjamin Keys discusses racial disparities in mortgage refinancing.

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