Health Equity & Access Weekly Roundup: August 3, 2024

Rising Suicide Rates Among AAPI Youth Indicate Need for Investing in Mental Support

A recent commentary in JAMA Network Open highlights the urgent need for targeted research, culturally competent care, and community-based prevention strategies to support the mental health of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) youths, who face suicide as the leading cause of death. The study discussed the significant rise in suicide rates from 1999 to 2021, with male youth rates increasing by 72% and female rates by 125%. Contributing factors include racism, xenophobia, and increased access to firearms, particularly amid rising anti-Asian hate during the COVID-19 pandemic. Gender disparities in suicide rates suggest intersecting impacts of sexism and racism. The authors called for disaggregated data, increased funding, and culturally tailored interventions to effectively address these alarming trends and support AAPI youth mental health.

Lisa Gomez: Efforts to Increase Health Care Access Must Acknowledge Systemic Barriers

Individuals from minority groups face significant barriers in accessing mental health care, including language differences, cultural mistrust, and societal norms that discourage prioritizing personal mental health, according to Lisa M. Gomez of the Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) in the US Department of Labor. The EBSA works to ensure employment-based health plans provide mental health care on par with physical health care as mandated by the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act. Gomez highlighted systemic and societal barriers that hinder access to care, emphasizing the need for resources to address these issues. Cultural differences and trust issues often impede access, leading EBSA to engage with ethnic community leaders and media outlets. Societal norms further discourage mental health prioritization, especially among women and caregivers, necessitating a shift toward self-care. EBSA's multifaceted approach includes education, communication, and cultural competence to make mental health care more inclusive and accessible, supported by resources on its website and advisory services.

Addressing Ongoing Disparities in Liver Cancer Care: Dr Amit Singal

Amit Singal, MD, medical director of the Liver Tumor Program and chief of hepatology at UT Southwestern Medical Center, discusses his research on racial and ethnic disparities in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) care and outcomes in the US. His findings reveal significant underuse of HCC screening and treatment among minority groups, particularly Black and Hispanic patients, who face lower odds of receiving any treatment or curative therapies compared to non-Hispanic Whites. These disparities contribute to higher HCC-related mortality in these populations. Addressing these issues requires multilevel interventions to tackle patient, provider, system, and community barriers, including transportation, financial constraints, implicit bias, and access to local health care. Singal emphasizes the need for community collaboration to implement these interventions and improve outcomes.

CBT Group Sessions Ease Distress in Older Patients Living With HIV

At the recent AIDS 2024 conference, Jacklyn D. Foley, PhD, MS, from Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School presented a study on a Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)-based group intervention aimed at reducing psychological distress and promoting healthy behavior changes in older individuals living with HIV. The study involved 30 participants, split into a 12-week CBT group and an enhanced standard care group. The diverse cohort had an average age of around 61 years. The intervention led to significant positive outcomes, including reduced depressive and anxiety symptoms, increased physical activity, and improved health-related quality of life. The group members also formed strong connections, demonstrating the intervention's impact beyond its duration. This pilot study highlighted the potential of CBT interventions in improving mental and physical health in older people living with HIV.

Tiara Green Discusses Leveraging Community Partnerships for Better Health Care Access

To address cultural and linguistic barriers in health care, Tiara Green, MSEd, president of Accessia Health, emphasizes partnering with trusted community resources like faith-based organizations and long-standing community groups. These entities can effectively connect underserved populations to essential health services. Green advocates for health care organizations to foster an internal culture of health equity by providing ongoing training in cultural competence and unconscious bias for their staff. This approach ensures that health care providers understand the experiences of underserved communities, enabling them to build trust and communicate effectively without being condescending or intimidating, ultimately promoting health equity on a broader scale.