Black or African American

Experiencing racism can be hard on your health. In medical schools, the stress that comes from structural (i.e., societal-level) racism is an additional burden on Black students and faculty. A new study supported by the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD) and based on a survey conducted in 2020 found that the stress caused by racial unrest and perceived racism can affect the mental health of Black students. The research suggests that medical schools can do more to address discrimination to support their students’ mental health.

In the United States, type 2 diabetes (T2D) is more common in all racial and ethnic minority groups than in non-Hispanic White populations. T2D that is not properly controlled significantly raises the risk of serious complications, such as high blood pressure, heart disease, chronic kidney disease, and stroke. Maintaining a healthy, balanced diet low in refined grains, added sugars, sodium, and saturated fats is a critical part of managing T2D. However, it can be challenging for people experiencing food insecurity to access the nutritious foods needed to maintain a healthy diet.

After finishing medical school in the Rwandan capital of Kigali, M. Grace Duhuze Karera, M.D., M.Sc., moved to the country’s rural western province for postgraduate service at Bushenge Provincial Hospital. From the top floor of the hospital’s hilltop building, a view of a beautiful lake and miles of rolling hills unfolds.

In 2010, Congress passed the Affordable Care Act (ACA), which included extending health insurance to more Americans. Under that law, states were given the option to expand Medicaid coverage to people at a higher income level. A new study supported by NIMHD has found that the Medicaid expansion increased the number of young adults covered by health insurance. It increased the quality of care they receive following traumatic injuries, such as those sustained in a car accident or a fall.

As of 2020, more than 52 million people living in the United States struggle with mental illness. The burden of mental illness in this country is among the highest of all diseases, and mental disorders are among the most common causes of disability.

Conversation with Dr. Yun-Chi Chen, Morgan State University

Partnering with Community-Based Organizations to Improve Cardiovascular Health

NIMHD’s Conversations with Researchers Advancing Health Equity

February is African American History Month.

Obesity is associated with both increased risk of breast cancer and increased risk of death after breast cancer diagnosis. Understanding the association between body composition, including the amount and distribution of fat in the body, and breast cancer is important.