Adolescent and young adult requests for medication abortion through online telemedicine

REAL Author: Dana Johnson

Key Takeaways: This study analyzed data from a high‑volume online telemedicine service that provides medication abortion to minors. A substantial number of teenagers nationwide sought abortion pills online, with the highest weekly request rates in states requiring parental notification or consent. These patterns suggest that adolescents in such states face significant barriers to clinic‑based care, including the compounded effects of parental involvement laws and broader abortion restrictions. Findings highlight the need to better understand how legal and structural barriers shape teens’ access to confidential reproductive healthcare.

Race and ethnicity of reproductive-age females affected by US state abortion bans

REAL Author: Tiffany Green

Key Takeaways: This study highlights the racial disparities among reproductive-age people assigned female at birth affected by restrictive abortion policies following the 2022 Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization Supreme Court decision. In states with abortion bans or severe restrictions, those who are Black and American Indian or Alaska Native are disproportionately represented compared to states with fewer restrictions. The findings underscore that abortion restrictions are concentrated in states with higher populations of racial minorities who already face elevated risks of pregnancy-related morbidity. Addressing disparities in reproductive health access may reduce adverse outcomes among these marginalized groups.

What Dobbs revealed about the everyday morality of abortion

REAL Author: Klaira Lerma

Chapter 2 in When Roe Fell: How Barriers, Inequities, and Systemic Failures of Justice in Abortion Became Visible. Recently covered in Ms. Magazine, read the article here.

Born on the wrong side of the tracks: Exploring the causal effects of segregation on infant health

REAL Authors: Tiffany L. Green, Laura E.T. Swan

Key Takeaways: This study examines the causal relationship between racial residential segregation and infant health outcomes in the U.S., using 19th-century railroad divisions as an instrumental variable. Findings reveal that segregation significantly worsens outcomes for Black infants, including higher risks of low birth weight, preterm birth, and restricted fetal growth. Mechanisms include reduced access to prenatal care, increased food insecurity, and heightened exposure to anti-Black prejudice. White infants were not similarly affected, highlighting segregation’s disproportionate burden on Black communities. These results underscore the role of structural racism in perpetuating health disparities and the need for targeted policy interventions​​.

The nature and validity of implicit bias training for health care providers and trainees: A systematic review

REAL Author: Tiffany L. Green

Key Takeaways: This systematic review evaluates 77 studies on implicit bias training for healthcare providers and trainees, highlighting significant gaps in methodology and effectiveness. Most trainings targeted racial/ethnic biases using a mix of didactic and hands-on approaches but often failed to define or address implicit stereotypes specifically. Despite increasing adoption, the review found little evidence that these programs result in long-term behavioral changes or improved patient outcomes. The findings emphasize the need for standardized, evidence-based designs, rigorous evaluations, and focus on measurable outcomes to ensure meaningful impacts on healthcare equity​​.

Implicit and explicit racial prejudice among medical professionals: Updated estimates from a population-based study

REAL Authors: Tiffany L. Green, Laura E.T. Swan

Key Takeaways: This study used data from Harvard’s Project Implicit to evaluate implicit and explicit racial prejudice among medical professionals. Results revealed higher levels of implicit anti-Black and anti-Arab-Muslim prejudice among physicians and non-physician healthcare workers compared to the general population. However, these differences diminished for physicians after controlling for demographics but remained significant for non-physician workers. The findings emphasize systemic racism’s role in healthcare disparities, urging targeted interventions to reduce prejudice and improve equity in patient care. These insights are critical for enhancing diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts in medical education and practice​​.

“It all starts by listening:” Medical racism in Black birthing narratives and community-identified suggestions for building trust in healthcare

REAL Author: Laura Swan

Key Takeaways: We interviewed 25 Black birthing people who participated in a local perinatal support group to understand their experiences with pregnancy, birth, and postpartum care, and to gather their ideas for improving trust in healthcare. Participants described facing medical racism, including provider bias and trauma, which contributed to deep distrust in the healthcare system. They proposed solutions for healthcare providers and the healthcare system, such as hiring more Black providers, listening to patients, practicing cultural humility, engaging in shared decision-making, building personal connections with patients, and spending more time with patients. These community-driven recommendations aim to build trust in healthcare and reshape how we combat racial disparities in healthcare provision and health outcomes.

Racial disparities in post-operative pain experience and treatment following cesarean birth

REAL Author: Tiffany Green

Key Takeaways: This study evaluated racial disparities in post-operative pain management following cesarean births, revealing that non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic birthing persons reported higher pain scores compared to non-Hispanic White counterparts. Despite higher pain levels, Black individuals did not receive increased opioid doses, while Hispanic birthing persons showed similar opioid use. Non-Hispanic Asian individuals reported comparable pain scores to Whites but received lower opioid doses. These disparities, persisting even after controlling for confounding factors, highlight inequities in pain management for birthing persons of color and underscore the need for equitable and patient-centered approaches in post-operative care​​.

Equitable artificial intelligence in obstetrics, maternal-fetal medicine, and neonatology

REAL Author: Tiffany Green

Key Takeaways: This article explores the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) to address disparities in obstetrics, maternal–fetal medicine, and neonatology. While AI promises to enhance diagnostic precision and clinical decision-making, biases in its design may perpetuate inequities. Key challenges include integrating diverse datasets, ensuring equity in AI tools, and avoiding the intensification of existing disparities. The authors advocate for multidisciplinary collaboration, ethical oversight, and community involvement to mitigate systemic biases. Equitable AI holds transformative potential for perinatal care but requires robust safeguards and continuous evaluation to ensure it supports marginalized populations effectively​​.

The sexual experiences of people living with sickle cell disease

REAL Author: Brittanni Wright

Key Takeaways: This qualitative study explored how sickle cell disease (SCD) impacts individuals’ sexual experiences. Participants reported both satisfying sexual experiences and challenges due to pain crises or SCD-related genital pain. Communication with partners and managing pain are central to the sexual well-being of people with SCD. These findings highlight the need for clinicians to address sexual health and pain in SCD care.