Health Equity & Access Weekly Roundup: May 12, 2025

Unmet Health Care and Health-Related Social Needs of Laundromat Users

Medicaid enrollees experienced significantly higher levels of unmet needs compared with those with private insurance, according to new study findings. Researchers aimed to estimate the prevalence of unmet health care and health-related social needs (HRSNs) among laundromat users and examine differences by health insurance coverage. The survey, conducted in 14 laundromats in Pennsylvania, found that 52.9% of participants had Medicaid, and unmet HRSNs, such as food insecurity and utility concerns, were more common than unmet health care needs. Results showed that disparities remained even when comparing individuals within the same laundromat. The findings suggest that laundromat-based outreach is particularly valuable for addressing the needs of Medicaid recipients, as this group is disproportionately represented among laundromat users and has the highest levels of unmet needs.

Racial Disparities Exist in Colorectal Cancer Deaths

Despite overall progress in colorectal cancer (CRC) care in the US, significant racial and ethnic disparities in mortality—particularly among Black and American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) patients—have persisted or worsened over the past 30 years. Using data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results registry (1992–2021), researchers found that although CRC mortality has declined overall, Black and AI/AN patients consistently experienced the highest death rates, with widening gaps compared with White patients. Adjustments for factors like cancer stage at diagnosis, initial treatment, and socioeconomic status explained some of the disparities, but nearly half remained unexplained, likely due to structural racism and unequal access to care. The study calls for targeted interventions, increased screening, and efforts to address social determinants of health to close these persistent gaps.

Frameworks for Advancing Health Equity: Food as Medicine

In this episode of the Managed Care Cast series, Frameworks for Advancing Health Equity, Colleen Ereditario, MPH, RD, LDN, program manager, shares how the “Food as Medicine” approach of Allegheny Health Network (AHN) addresses food insecurity and guides patients to improve their health. Through its innovative Healthy Food Centers, AHN identifies patients at risk by using a screening tool focused on social drivers of health. Patients are then referred to 1 of 6 centers, where they receive immediate and low-barrier access to nutritious food. What sets these centers apart is that they are staffed by registered dietitians who provide personalized nutrition counseling, taking into account individual health needs and cultural preferences.

Striving for Health Equity: Antoine Keller, MD

US health policy is entering a critical period of transformation, driven by shifting legislative priorities and the urgent need to redefine value in health care, Antoine Keller, MD, a cardiothoracic surgeon and founder of HeartSense, emphasized in an interview. Drawing from his experience in rural care, Keller underscores that equitable resource allocation is key to addressing disparities, but the concept of health equity varies widely in interpretation, often overlooking the most vulnerable populations. He advocates for using data to guide policy that reflects actual disease burdens, especially in underserved communities, and stresses that meaningful reform requires both strategic planning and strong advocacy. Highlighting historical and ongoing barriers, including provider shortages in rural areas and the lingering health effects of redlining, Keller calls for collaboration between policymakers and clinicians to build a data-informed, equitable health system that can effectively respond to rising chronic disease and mental health challenges.

IPF Trial Practices Often Exclude Certain Patients, Perspectives

Current clinical trial practices for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) therapies fail to adequately incorporate diverse patient perspectives, according to new research, limiting inclusivity and potentially skewing trial outcomes. Based on international patient insight reports and interviews with patients and clinicians, the researchers found flaws in how participants were selected and represented, with some conclusions drawn from small or unrepresentative samples. Patients often struggled with understanding trial information and cited logistical burdens, such as travel, as barriers to participation. The study also criticized the overreliance on contract research and patient organizations, which may exclude less-connected individuals. The authors call for more methodologically rigorous and inclusive trial designs, emphasizing collaboration with patients in the research process and urging pharmaceutical companies and regulators to adopt practices that prioritize equity and real-world relevance.