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Amid plummeting diversity at medical schools, a warning of DEI crackdown’s ‘chilling effect’
Annie Sciacca, KFF Health News, March 20
Education and health experts are warning that patient care could be harmed by a crackdown on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs that could exacerbate an already unexpectedly steep drop in diversity among medical school students. Following the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to end affirmative action in higher education, the number of Black and Hispanic medical school enrollees fell by double-digit percentages in the 2024-25 school year compared to the previous year. Educators fear the numbers will decline even more under the new administration. A decline in diversity among medical students could lead to long-term consequences for patient care, and make racial disparities in health outcomes worse.
Young people could be most at risk with HIV prevention cuts
Tina Reed, Axios, March 20
Potential cuts to HIV prevention efforts at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention could widen health disparities and weigh heaviest on young Black and Hispanic men in the South, according to public health officials. The Department of Health and Human Services is considering a plan that would eliminate its HIV prevention efforts and transfer its functions elsewhere. “If these prevention activities are not going on, unfortunately, I would suspect that more people will be infected with HIV, and we will lose progress that we’ve made over the last decade,” said Raynard Washington, a county health director in Mecklenburg, North Carolina.
Blood test for ovarian cancer misses some Black and Native American patients, study finds
Carla K. Johnson, The Associated Press, March 20
A common blood test may miss ovarian cancer in some Black and Native American patients, delaying their treatment, according to a new study. It is an example of medical tests that contribute to health care disparities. Native American women have the highest rate of ovarian cancer. Black women with ovarian cancer have lower survival rates compared to white women. Doctors use the blood test to determine whether a woman with a suspicious lump should be referred to a cancer specialist. Finding ovarian cancer early can lead to better chances of survival. It’s unclear why the test doesn’t perform uniformly across racial groups.
Many people with disabilities risk losing their Medicaid if they work too much
Tony Leys, KFF Health News, March 25
Zach Mecham relies on Medicaid to pay for services that help him live on his own despite a disability. He’s heard politicians demand that Medicaid recipients work or lose benefits. At the same time, he has run into a jumble of Medicaid rules that effectively prevent many people with disabilities from holding full-time jobs. In Iowa, where Mecham lives, there is a Medicaid “buy-in program” which allows people with disabilities to join even if their incomes are a bit higher than would typically be permitted. Most of these types of programs have caps on how much money participants can earn and save. Disability rights advocates say these caps can prevent participants from working full time or accepting promotions.
‘Grandpas’ got together to help kids. Scientists say it boosts the elders’ health, too
Ashley Milne-Tyte, NPR, March 26
Life after retirement can be isolating for a lot of people, especially older men who were often raised to be providers and who built their whole identities around their jobs. When Jim Isenberg tried to find an organization for grandfathers like him who were looking for community, he found none. So, he founded Grandpas United in 2018 to connect retired men to volunteer opportunities. They have several initiatives, including one that’s meant to help new dads learn from the grandpas’ experiences, and a children’s program where the grandpas spend a lunch hour with local kids. The programs have a real health benefit for the volunteers as well, providing them with the opportunity for physical activity, connection with others, and more.