Population Health News Round-Up: January 2025

Health Equity and Disparities

Tobacco disparities are still driven partly by poverty and discrimination: “Social, structural, and commercial determinants of health—such as persistent poverty and inequitable economic and social conditions—lead to inequitable opportunities for living a life free from tobacco-related death and disease.” (Eliminating Tobacco-Related Disease and Death: Addressing Disparities, the U.S. Surgeon General Report, 2024)

Cancer rate varies in Asian American populations: Chinese, Filipino, and Vietnamese Americans had higher rates of nasopharyngeal cancer. The authors stress the importance of data disaggregation.(Head & Neck, July 18, 2024)

Obesity treatments aren’t equally available to all: Geographic availability, cultural stigmas, and financial barriers play a role in why Black and Hispanic people are less likely to access anti-obesity medication. (RollingOut, January 17, 2025)

Environmental Health and Justice

Asthma disparities associated with environmental factors: “Poor environmental factors, such as motor vehicle pollution and lack of emergency room access, lead to a higher prevalence of asthma among Black individuals than White individuals.” (Syracuse University Lerner Center brief, December 10, 2024)

Environmental injustice in prisons: Poor air quality, extreme heat, floods, and soil and water pollution are common in prisons, leading to disparities. The author calls for “abolitionist environmental justice.” (Environmental Health News, January 8, 2025)

It’s getting hotter for certain people in Detroit: With a heat island that “disproportionately impacts communities of color and lower-income groups,” health problems can be worsened disproportionately. But green spaces can help. (Planet Detroit, January 16, 2025)

Built Environments, Spaces, and Places

Greenspace can slow cognitive decline: Getting exposure to greenness in midlife slowed cognitive decline by about eight months, per data from the Nurses’ Health Study. (Environmental Health Perspectives, July 17, 2024)

More seniors are becoming homeless: Homelessness in seniors 65+ can exacerbate or even cause health conditions. More affordable housing for older Americans is needed. (NPR Shots, December 27, 2024)

Historical racism, COVID-19, and firearm violence: Historical redlining by the Home Owners Loan Corporation contributed to racial disparities in firearm violence after the COVID epidemic began. (AJPH, February 2025)

Policy and Programs

Tackling lead poisoning in King County, Washington: The King County Hazardous Waste Management Program and the community-based Afghan Health Initiative worked together to reduce lead exposure in a vulnerable community by removing cookware and other items with high lead levels. (AJPH, January 8, 2025)

Universal free meals in schools show benefit, but face barriers: School meal programs that include all kids can increase participation, but need improvements in implementation, such as decentralization of service delivery and timing. (Syracuse University Maxwell School of Citizenship & Public Affairs, Learner Center for Public Health Promotion & Population Health, January 21, 2025) 

What the FDA might look like in the new Trump administration: Vaccines, food, and food additives may be targets of the new administration. Also, the FDA’s authority and capacity may be at risk. (January 15, 2024)