Population Health News, April 2026

Health Equity

Disparities in non-small cell lung cancer treatment: Black patients on Medicare receive lower rates of surgery than White patients do. (JAMA Network Open Oncology, March 2, 2026)

Grant program aims to reduce pediatric dental health disparities: Some rural and low-income areas have little or no access to pediatric dentists, and untreated dental caries are a big health concern in kids. This program aims to help. (The University Record, University of Michigan, April 3, 2026)

Birth outcome disparities between economic groups are persistent: People below 200% of the poverty level have “consistently higher rates of poor birth outcomes….” (Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, March 13, 2026, members Rita Hamad and Emily Dore are authors)

Environmental and Climate Health & Justice

Coal mines — and closing coal mines — harm health: While coal mining generates pollution linked to asthma and other poor health outcomes, the mines also generate steady employment and income. As mines close, replacement jobs are needed. (BUSPH, April 8, 2026)

The Trump administration’s EPA faces lawsuit: The lawsuit claims that the EPA failed to implement the 2024 National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) for particulate matter air pollution, or soot. (American Public Health Association, April 14, 2026)

Built Environments, Spaces, and Places

Travel distance is a barrier to getting methadone: In Connecticut, many suburban residents travel over 40 minutes on public transit to get methadone to treat opioid use disorder. This commentary suggests ways to ease the travel burden, such as mobile medication units. (JAMA Invited Commentary, February 3, 2026)

In Louisville, Kentucky, greenspace takes center stage for health and more: Several programs are creating more greenspace to improve health and other benefits, and they’re keeping equity “central to this work.” (Louisville Business First, April , 2026)

Rural patients who need dialysis are struggling to get it: Patients are driving farther and even moving in order to get the dialysis they need as rural hospitals face staff and budget issues. (NPR, April 15, 2026)

Policy and Programs

The war in Iran could cause worldwide hunger: Nearly a third of the world’s nitrogen fertilizer and almost half the world’s sulfur comes through the Strait of Hormuz. These elements are vital for fertilizing crops around the world. (Grist, March 11, 2026)

Rural hospital fund won’t necessarily help and might cut services: The $50 billion Rural Health Transformation Program won’t help with direct funding of services and renovations, yet that’s what some rural hospitals need. (NPR, March 26, 2026)

Program helps Black women during pregnancy: Black women face higher maternal mortality rates. A program called Heart, Soul, and Joy aims to help. The program is affiliated with the University of Washington. (Seattle Medium, April 8, 2026)

What happens when hospitals are required offer more financial assistance?:  The number of Oregonians with medical debt dropped after a policy required nonprofit hospitals to provide more financial help. Oregon hospitals also provided more free or discounted care. (Tulane University, March 30, 2026)

Book Spotlight

In The Price of Exclusion: The Pursuit of Healthcare in a Segregated Nation, author Nicole Carr explores the history of Black healthcare professionals and the barriers, exclusion, and racism they faced. Carr shares the story of her Jamaican-born great grandfather, who attended medical school during the Spanish Flu pandemic. (HarperCollins, pre-order now for release on June 16, 2026)