African-American Cancer Survivors and Discrimination

Cancer and its treatment can accelerate the rate of aging because they both destabilize and damage biological systems in the body. New research published by Wiley online in CANCER, a peer-reviewed journal of the American Cancer Society, found that African American cancer survivors who reported high levels of discrimination exhibited greater aging and frailty than… Continue reading African-American Cancer Survivors and Discrimination

The Health Effects of Racist Housing Policies

The historical discriminatory housing policies known as “redlining” are associated with heart disease and related risk factors today in impacted neighborhoods, even though it has been 60 years since they were banned,  according to a study published in the July 2022 issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology. Health disparities have been… Continue reading The Health Effects of Racist Housing Policies

Discrimination Increases Risk for Mental-Health Problems

People who are the victims of chronic discrimination, whether on the basis of race, ethnicity or sexual orientation, can develop risk factors for mental disorders, experts say. “We now have decades of research showing that when people are chronically treated differently, unfairly or badly, it can have effects ranging from low self-esteem to a higher… Continue reading Discrimination Increases Risk for Mental-Health Problems

Is Genetic Testing for You?

Editor’s note: Genetic testing can be a frightening, expensive prospect – and it can also help you. How should you decide? Here, experts from the SeniorHealth division of the National Institutes of Health tell you what you need to know about this crucial choice. In a genetic test, a small sample of blood, saliva, or… Continue reading Is Genetic Testing for You?

Age-related Discrimination by Doctors Is Bad for Our Health

Being discriminated against by the healthcare profession or system can cause much more than just mere distress to older people. Such experiences can literally be bad for their health. One in every three older Americans who are on the receiving end of age-related discrimination in the healthcare setting will likely develop new or worsened functional… Continue reading Age-related Discrimination by Doctors Is Bad for Our Health

Social Support Can Help Diabetics’ Health

Diabetes patients who have support from people around them could improve their health outlook as a result of that connection, according to a new study. An international team of researchers, including experts from Penn State College of Medicine, came to that conclusion as part of the Second Diabetes Attitudes, Wishes and Needs (DAWN2). The study… Continue reading Social Support Can Help Diabetics’ Health