Literature Review

All posts tagged with “General News | Diversity / Equity / Inclusion News.”



Thompson Scholars and AdventHealth host successful Health Equity Health Fair

03/28/25 at 03:00 AM

Thompson Scholars and AdventHealth host successful Health Equity Health Fair AdventHealth Manchester, Manchester, KY; by Christina Couch; 3/25/25 The Thompson Scholars Foundation and AdventHealth are proud to announce the successful completion of the Health Equity Health Fair held [March 24] ... in Manchester, KY. With over 250 participants, the event brought together medical professionals, community representatives, and attendees to address health disparities and promote wellness within the community. The Health Equity Health Fair featured a wide range of activities and resources, including: ... Hospice Care ...

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Seen Health opens first PACE Center in San Gabriel Valley, delivering a new standard of culturally-focused senior care

03/26/25 at 03:00 AM

Seen Health opens first PACE Center in San Gabriel Valley, delivering a new standard of culturally-focused senior care PR Newswire, Alhambra, CA; by Seen Health; 3/18/25 Seen Health, an innovative health care provider transforming senior care, celebrated the grand opening of its first flagship Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) center in San Gabriel Valley on Saturday, March 15. ... With California's rapidly growing senior population, the need for innovative care has never been more urgent. In San Gabriel Valley alone, over 17% of residents are 65 or older, with over 300,000 seniors in the area and approximately 30% identifying as Chinese-American.  ... Designed for comfort and connection, Seen Health's PACE center features open communal areas, natural lighting, and cultural elements that promote dignity and social interaction. Unlike traditional senior services, Seen Health blends expert clinical services with highly personalized social and cultural support, ensuring care feels familiar, enriching, and provided in the participants' native languages. [Continue reading ...]

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Grief support groups available for Spanish speakers

03/25/25 at 02:00 AM

Grief support groups available for Spanish speakers The Times-Standard, Eureka, CA; by The Times-Standard; 3/23/25 Hospice of Humboldt and Healing Roots Curando Raíces PC have announced a new partnership to offer free grief support groups in Spanish for the community. These groups will provide a safe and welcoming space for Spanish-speaking individuals to process loss, connect with others and receive compassionate support. ... Like Hospice of Humboldt’s Grief Support Groups in English, these groups are open to anyone in the community and are not limited to Hospice of Humboldt patients and families. “We are honored to collaborate with Healing Roots Curando Raíces PC to expand access to grief support for our Spanish-speaking community,” said Dianne Keating, CEO of Hospice of Humboldt. “Grief can feel isolating, and having support available in one’s preferred language makes a meaningful difference in the healing process.” 

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Medical interpreters’ experiences with patients who are near end-of-life and their family members

03/22/25 at 03:15 AM

Medical interpreters’ experiences with patients who are near end-of-life and their family membersJournal of Pain and Symptom Management; Joycelyn Howard DNP, RN, AGCNS, ACHPN ; Alexia M. Torke MD, MS; Susan E. Hickman PhD; Greg Sachs MD; Sylk Sotto-Santiago EdD, MBA, MPS; James E. Slaven MS, MA; Denise Robinson PhD, RN, FNP; 3/25In 2019 the United States Census Bureau reported 8% of the United States Population “speak English less than very well”. Ensuring individuals with a non-English language preference (NELP), previously referred to as limited English proficiency, have equitable access to healthcare includes providing high quality interpreter services. Although self-efficacy for interpreting EOL [end of life]conversations is generally high, interpreters desire education about EOL care. Interventions are also needed to address the high emotional toll of interpreting EOL conversations. Education and training about EOL care may help them to not only convey information accurately but also cope with emotional nuances characteristic of these significant conversations, ultimately elevating the quality of care for patients and family members in vulnerable and important moments.

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Researcher proposes new framework for language equity in health technology

03/15/25 at 03:45 AM

Researcher proposes new framework for language equity in health technologyJAMA; Yulin Hswen, ScD, MPH; Nora Collins; 2/25In a recent Editorial in JAMA Network Open, Pilar Ortega, MD, MGM, a clinical associate professor of medical education and emergency medicine at the University of Illinois College of Medicine in Chicago, and her coauthors emphasized the urgent need for integrating language equity into digital health solutions. “Technology may enhance health equity, but only if marginalized populations’ perspectives and root causes of health disparities are considered across key aspects of health care provision and at every stage of project development: design, evaluation, implementation, and revision,” they wrote. There are [more than] 350 languages spoken in the US. We need to do things that on a system level make it possible for individuals of any language preference to not only access care but that the health care quality they receive is comparable and equitable, so they can be enrolled in clinical trials [and] access all the different levels of care they might need. 

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Wealth disparities in end-of-life symptom burden among older adults

03/15/25 at 03:10 AM

Wealth disparities in end-of-life symptom burden among older adultsJAMA Network Open; Irena Cenzer, Kenneth E Covinsky, Sarah H Cross, Claire K Ankuda, Lauren J Hunt, Melissa D Aldridge, Krista L Harrison; 3/25This cohort study found that lower wealth was associated with a higher symptom burden at the end of life, mediated in part by higher rates of multimorbidity, functional impairment, and dementia. These findings highlight the need for policies and programs to support patients with lower financial resources to improve end-of-life experiences and mitigate wealth disparities. 

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CMS deletes Medicare Advantage vision statement, signaling another shift from health equity

03/12/25 at 03:00 AM

CMS deletes Medicare Advantage vision statement, signaling another shift from health equity Fierce Healthcare - Regulatory; by Noah Tong; 3/10/25 The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) wiped away the agency’s stated intentions for the future of Medicare Advantage (MA), underlining new uncertainty for the future of health-related social needs, CMS Innovation Center models and the federal health program. ... A frequently asked questions page gave further explanation, as did an executive summary of a report to be released in early 2025. The page included a section with the question, “What is CMS’ vision for the future of the MA program?” as of Feb. 22, archived versions of the web page shows. But that question and answer was quietly deleted, and the page was last modified Feb. 26. It previously described how the VBID model helped health plans address health-related social needs and stressed health equity as an important cornerstone of its mission. ... The CMS did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

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J-Sei Home closes after 30 years, leaving Bay Area Japanese seniors in need

03/11/25 at 03:00 AM

J-Sei Home closes after 30 years, leaving Bay Area Japanese seniors in need KQED, San Francisco, CA; by Cecilia Lei; 3/10/25 ... For decades, Bay Area Japanese American families have sought culturally sensitive senior care facilities like J-Sei Home for aging loved ones. Community members said that about a decade ago, there were approximately 10 Japanese senior care homes in the region. Today, that number has declined by about half. The most recent closure came in January, when the last residents of J-Sei Home moved out, and the facility permanently closed its doors after 30 years of operation. A majority of the displaced residents were Japanese Americans in their 90s and had cognitive impairment. ... They had tender caregivers who spoke Japanese. They ate familiar comfort foods like miso soup and pickled vegetables, and they participated in daily activities such as drum circles and singing Japanese songs. ...

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Mahogany CEO: Hospice on cusp of ‘tremendous revolution’

03/10/25 at 03:00 AM

Mahogany CEO: Hospice on cusp of ‘tremendous revolution’Hospice News; by Holly Vossel; 3/7/25 Mahogany Home Health and Hospice recently launched services in southwestern Ohio. The new hospice startup is the first Black-owned hospice and home health organization statewide with a drive to improve utilization among underserved populations. This is according to Victor Couzens, owner, founder and CEO of Mahogany Home Health and Hospice. The organization recently received a green light from state licensing agencies to begin serving Cincinnati and Dayton, Ohio and surrounding communities. ... Couzens recently told Hospice News, ... "As a hospice chaplain, I was often confronted with the pressure of trying to fit a square peg into a round hole when it comes to how underserved communities are actually reached and cared for. It’s about offering insights, or even evidence-based approaches, to meeting the needs of Black and brown people, the needs of the LGBTQ+ community, the needs of immigrants and just any other groups who do not make up the majority of the patient population. ..."

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Explaining racial and ethnic disparities in advance care planning: A decomposition analysis

03/08/25 at 03:00 AM

Explaining racial and ethnic disparities in advance care planning: A decomposition analysisJournal of Pain and Symptom Management; Yifan Lou, Emma Zang, Qianqian Li; 2/25The ACP [advance care planning] disparities between White and Hispanic populations were nearly twice as large as the disparity between White and Black populations. Interventions targeting less educated older Black and Hispanic individuals should be prioritized to narrow the ACP disparity. Negative healthcare experiences in previous care and household dynamics should be addressed while working with Black and Hispanic older adults, respectively.

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What do the ashes symbolize in life, death, and cultural rituals?

03/05/25 at 03:00 AM

What do the ashes symbolize in life, death, and cultural rituals? Brain Wise Mind - Symbolism; by Jodie Lawrence; 1/26/25In this article, you’ll explore the rich symbolism behind ashes, from themes of loss and renewal to connections with the cycle of life. By understanding these meanings, you can gain a deeper appreciation for how ashes play a role in various rituals and practices. Get ready to uncover the significance that lies within these seemingly simple remnants. ... Ashes symbolize a range of profound concepts, particularly in relation to life and death. You can find their meanings in various cultures and traditions, reflecting significant themes.

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Qualitative analysis through the lens of minority nurses

03/05/25 at 03:00 AM

Qualitative analysis through the lens of minority nurses American Nurse; by Sonya Moore, PhD, RN, CRNA; Carolyn Still, PhD, RN; and Siobhan Aaron, PhD, RN; 3/4/25 Many argue that experiences of discrimination, racism, and microaggression (intentional or unintentional) serve as key barriers to the recruitment and retention of diverse nurses. Iheduru-Anderson, who interviewed 30 Black nurses, noted that despite an increase in the number of Black nurses in the U.S. workforce over time, they remain significantly underrepresented in leadership and faculty positions. The study identified several themes that contribute to lack of advancement, including maintaining White comfort, distrust, lack of role models and representation, expectations about leadership roles, and the ineffectiveness of advanced degrees in securing advancement. 

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Challenges to video visits for patients with non–English language preference-A qualitative study

03/01/25 at 03:30 AM

Challenges to video visits for patients with non–English language preference-A qualitative studyJAMA Network Open; Marianna Kong, MD; Francine Rios-Fetchko, BA; Madelyn Olmos-Rodriguez, BA; Linda Branagan, PhD; Bradley Iott, MPH, MS, PhD; Therese Chan Tack, DO, MPH; Carol Yarbrough, MBA; Kevin Grumbach, MD; Alicia Fernandez, MD; 2/25Telemedicine, or synchronous video or audio-only visits, has made clinical encounters more convenient and accessible for many patients. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, video and telephone visits comprised a small minority of primary care visits, but by April 2020, approximately one-half of US physicians were treating patients virtually and nonurgent telemedicine video visits increased by more than 600%. In this qualitative study, participants with NELP [non-English language preference] perceived multiple barriers to video visits, including greater communication difficulties, lower medical evaluation quality, and technical issues. These findings suggest that addressable technical challenges associated with language barriers hamper access to video visits and decrease motivation for use and that interventions are needed to increase telehealth equity. 

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Impact of patient and caregiver beliefs on utilization of hospice and palliative care in diverse patients with advanced lung cancer

02/22/25 at 03:10 AM

Impact of patient and caregiver beliefs on utilization of hospice and palliative care in diverse patients with advanced lung cancerAmerican Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care; Melanie Besculides, Melissa B Mazor, Carolina Moreno Alvarado, Mayuri Jain, Lihua Li, Jose Morillo, Juan P Wisnivesky, Cardinale B Smith; 2/25A prospective cohort study of newly diagnosed patients ≥18 years old with advanced lung cancer and their caregivers was conducted. Participants completed validated surveys at multiple points and electronic health records were reviewed to evaluate utilization. Minoritized lung cancer patients held more negative beliefs about HC/PC [hospice care/palliative care] yet were more likely to receive HC/PC. Further work is needed to understand factors that impact utilization among diverse patients with advanced cancer.

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Partnership grows to help more clinicians of color find community in Vermont

02/21/25 at 03:10 AM

Partnership grows to help more clinicians of color find community in Vermont Vermont Business Magazine - Vermont Biz (VB), South Burlington, VT; by Tim, The University of Vermont Medical Center; 2/18/25 A growing partnership between University of Vermont Medical Center and the Vermont Professionals of Color Network (VT PoC) aims to help people of color adjust to life in Vermont and build the personal and professional relationships community leaders say are crucial to both individual wellbeing and keeping residency students in the state after they complete their clinical training. “During my 20 plus years here, I have heard from so many black and brown people about how difficult it can be to adjust to life in Vermont – and this goes for medical residents too,” said Tino Rutanhira, co-founder and co-executive director of VT PoC. "... Without support, many of these professionals decide to leave Vermont at a time when our state desperately needs young, skilled and diverse people to help it grow.” Editor's note: Parteners listed include The University of Vermont Health Network - Home Health & Hospice.

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Juniper House on National Historic Register

02/20/25 at 03:00 AM

Juniper House on National Historic Register K103, Portland, OR; 2/18/25 The Juniper House is among Oregon's latest entries in the National Register of Historic Places ... for its statewide significance as Oregon's first end-of-life care home dedicated exclusively to residents with HIV/AIDS [May 1987] and for its substantial impact on statewide healthcare and LGBTQ+ history. ... In addition to caring for residents, the work of Juniper House included advocacy and educational efforts that were crucial in shaping public opinion and responses to HIV/AIDS.

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Celebrating Black History Month: 12 Black American medical pioneers

02/20/25 at 02:00 AM

Celebrating Black History Month: 12 Black American medical pioneers Brighton Hospice; blog from 2/24/21, still relevant todayThese trailblazing clinicians, researchers, inventors, and advocates broke barriers, shattered stereotypes, and advanced medicine in this country and beyond. 

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YoloCares: Breaking barriers in medicine, advancing DEI

02/18/25 at 03:10 AM

YoloCares: Breaking barriers in medicine, advancing DEI The Davis Enterprise; by Craig Dresang, Special to The Enterprise; 2/15/25 She is unassuming. She is a powerhouse. Her broad blissful smile can be disarming, but make no mistake, Jackie Clark RN, MBA, is a force of nature who knows how to get things done and how to lift people up in the process. The woman who California appointed as its first CEO for Correctional Healthcare Services, and now serves as the Board Chair for YoloCares, has some insight about the emerging challenges facing both healthcare and the country. Before her recent retirement, Clark oversaw the care of approximately 5,000 incarcerated patients annually, including one of the only hospice facilities in the country for incarcerated individuals. Clark expanded hospice care and developed a program for patients with Alzheimer’s and dementia. Recognizing the emotional impacts that an inmate’s death can have in the prison community, she also expanded an existing peer support training program to include preparing volunteers to aid hospice patients. ... Over time, Clark completely transformed the quality and delivery of healthcare in all of California’s 34 correctional facilities. ...

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Care for patients with a history of immigration

02/08/25 at 03:45 AM

Care for patients with a history of immigrationJAMA; Margaret Wheeler, MS, MD; Juan Raul Gutierrez, MD; Alicia Fernandez, MD; 1/25Home to 20% of the world’s immigrants, the US is the leading destination for people leaving their birth countries, and the US Census estimates that almost 14% of the US population in 2022 was born outside the US. ... The 2023 US Preventive Services Task Force Guideline on screening for latent tuberculosis recommends screening for tuberculosis in patients from Latin America, the Caribbean, Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, and Russia because in 2020, 71% of cases of active tuberculosis in the US occurred among individuals from these areas. Assessment of clinically relevant premigration factors involves consideration of the epidemiology of disease, health care practices, and sociopolitical and environmental exposures in an immigrant’s country of origin. These factors can alter risk assessment in differential diagnoses; for example, neurocysticercosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of seizures in a patient from Central America.

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Immigration policies’ ‘chilling effect’ on the hospice workforce

02/07/25 at 02:00 AM

Immigration policies’ ‘chilling effect’ on the hospice workforce Hospice News; by Holly Vossel; 2/5/24 The White House recently issued several executive orders that have ramped up the nation’s immigration enforcement policies. The health care sector may be facing a host of staffing and operational challenges as the regulatory moves unfold, according to Hannah Liu, manager of immigration advocacy at Asian Americans Advancing Justice (AAJC). A tightening of immigration policies has come with “concern, panic and confusion” across diverse communities nationwide, Liu stated. “As the effects of these hostile immigration policies play out, patients may also face the life-or-death situations that arise from interruptions in care caused by staffing shortages,” Liu told Hospice News in an email. “Immigrants in the health care industry may fear the possibility of arrest and detention, including in workplaces like hospitals, palliative care facilities and clinics.” 

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Use of digital health technologies by older US adults

02/01/25 at 03:40 AM

Use of digital health technologies by older US adultsJAMA Network Open; Cornelius A. James, MD; Tanima Basu, MS, MA; Brahmajee K. Nallamothu, MD, MPH; Jeffery T. Kullgren, MD, MPH, MS; 1/25Older adults use various types of DHT [digital health technologies], and they use patient portals most often. Although some older adults have unique physical and cognitive needs that can affect the utility and usability of DHTs, in aggregate they share some predictors of DHT use with younger adults. Additionally, our study showed a statistically significant association between non-Hispanic Black race and ethnicity and DHT use. Various factors may contribute to this finding, including medical mistrust among Black patients leading to decreased engagement with the health system and increased reliance on DHTs. This study highlights the need to carefully consider the unique characteristics of older adults when developing and deploying DHTs to avoid worsening the digital divide. 

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Nurses' perspectives on end-of-life care for Black/African American patients

02/01/25 at 03:25 AM

Nurses' perspectives on end-of-life care for Black/African American patientsJournal of Hospice & Palliative Nursing; Aaron, Siobhan P. PhD, RN, FNP-BC; Supiano, Katherine PhD, LCSW, FT, FGSA, APHSW-C; DeSimio, Samantha BS; 2/25In this qualitative examination of health care disparities based on race and ethnicity, the accounts of Black/African American nurses shed light on a range of critical issues within the health care system. These issues encompass stereotyping, bias, and a notable absence of cultural competence among health care providers, which often result in unequitable treatment for patients of color. Socioeconomic factors, including insurance and income disparities, further exacerbate these inequalities. Discrimination, whether implicit or explicit, continues to affect diagnosis and treatment, with a particular focus on disparities in pain management. Furthermore, the cultural perspectives and historical context surrounding treatment preferences were explored, emphasizing the profound impact of health care literacy, cultural viewpoints, and historical mistrust, especially within the Black/African American community.

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The Handbook of LGBTQIA-inclusive Hospice and Palliative Care, 2nd edition

01/31/25 at 03:00 AM

The Handbook of LGBTQIA-inclusive Hospice and Palliative Care, 2nd edition Review in Ageing & Society, published online by Cambridge University Press; book authored by Kimberly D. Acquavia, review authored by Luis Stoisser; 1/23/25 The Handbook of LGBTQIA-inclusive Hospice and Palliative Care is a comprehensive guide to providing inclusive palliative and hospice care to everyone, regardless of their self-identification. Following the author's belief that LGBTQIA+ hospice and palliative care requires change at three levels - individual, institutional and systemic - the book extends state-of-the-art palliative and hospice practices (US focused) by including LGBTQIA+ perspectives. Such a rethinking educates hospice and palliative care practitioners on how to provide person-centered care, how to be self-reflexive on a daily basis and how to handle their own stereotypes and stigmas. [This book is available via Columbia University Press and Amazon.]

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Opioid painkillers less available to people of color

01/31/25 at 03:00 AM

Opioid painkillers less available to people of color HealthDay News / Coastal Breeze News, Marco Island, FL; 1/30/25 People of color now have less access to prescription opioid painkillers than white patients, an unintended consequence of efforts to stem America’s opioid epidemic. Communities of color have a 40% to 45% lower distribution of commonly prescribed opioids, compared to majority white communities, researchers reported in a study published Jan. 23 in the journal Pain. This could prevent opioid painkillers from reaching those in true need of them, like cancer patients, researchers said. 

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Health equity guide aims to improve care for Black patients with serious illnesses

01/29/25 at 03:00 AM

Health equity guide aims to improve care for Black patients with serious illnesses Healio; by Jennifer Byrne; 1/28/25 Black individuals in the U.S. with serious illnesses receive disproportionately poor pain management and health care communication, compared with white individuals, a focus group led by the Center to Advance Palliative Care showed. Black individuals with these illnesses — such as cancer, heart failure or dementia — also experience higher family caregiver burden, findings showed. To address these inequities, the Center to Advance Palliative Care (CAPC) issued a comprehensive guide titled, “Advancing Equity for Black Patients with Serious Illness.”

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