Pittsburg, PA
Pitt study: Pregnant Black women disproportionately tested for drug use at hospitals
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — Having a baby and being subjected to a drug test has been a long-running practice at hospitals in Pennsylvania.
But a recent University of Pittsburgh study shows race played a role in the testing.
“We found that regardless of the patient’s history of drug use, Black patients were disproportionately tested at labor and delivery,” said Dr. Marian Jarlenski, associate professor of health policy and management at Pitt.
Jarlenski, who led the research, believes the reason for the unequal testing is bias.
“We feel that these data add to what we know about why Black patients might feel distrustful of the medical system,” she said.
The research looked at data from nearly 40,000 women who delivered babies at an undisclosed, large health care system in Pennsylvania between 2018 and 2021. Seventy-six percent of the moms were white and 16 percent were Black.
“Among those who had not used any drugs in the year prior to having their baby, about 7 percent of Black patients were tested compared to about 4 percent of white patients,” Jarlenski said.
“Even if a mother, a Black mother, says that she is not using, she ends up being tested anyway And, that’s where the bias is and that’s what we have to deal with,” said Dr. Margaret Larkins-Pettigrew, Allegheny Health Network’s senior vice president and chief clinical diversity, equity and inclusion officer.
Larkins-Pettigrew said AHN works to incorporate anti-bias staff training at multiple stages.
“We talk about micro-aggressions,” she said. “We talk about privilege. We want to talk about all of those things that hadn’t been talked about before because we want people to be comfortable understanding their own bias.”
KDKA-TV asked UPMC to provide someone to interview on its procedures on implicit bias but was told no expert was available.
Meanwhile, Jarlenski believes discretionary drug testing of women giving birth could have a chilling effect.
“These kind of testing procedures are viewed as punitive by Black patients, and it may actually dissuade Black patients from seeking prenatal care,” she said.
The researcher said drug testing pregnant women is not a requirement and that there are other federally recommended screening tools.
The Pennsylvania health care system that was studied has changed its labor and delivery protocol.
The Wisconsin Badgers are the 2024 Greenbrier Tip-Off champions.
Wisconsin, ranked No. 19 in the nation, improved to 7-0 by coming back from a double-digit deficit to defeat Pittsburgh (6-1) 81-75 Sunday evening in West Virginia. The comeback completed a sweep of the showcase, having defeated Central Florida in their first game of the tip-off on Friday afternoon.
John Tonje led the Badgers with 33 points. The star guard was 11-of-19 shooting and a perfect 10-of-10 from the free-throw line. It’s his second 30-point game of the season; his first was a 41-point explosion in Wisconsin’s win over then-No. 9 Arizona on Nov. 15.
Pittsburgh jumped out to a 20-8 lead nearly 10 minutes into the first half before the Badgers clawed back to within 34-27 at the half.
In the second half, Pittsburgh kept the Badgers at bay, leading 50-45 with 12:22 to go before Wisconsin went on a run and grew a lead to 71-64 with 4:15 remaining.
The Badgers have scored at least 79 points in all seven games this season, which is a program first.
Up next: Wisconsin vs. Chicago State, Nov. 30 at 7 p.m. CT.
A busy fall for Pittsburgh Pirates prospect Termarr Johnson has come to a close.
Team USA wrapped its run in the WBSC Premier12 with a 6-1 win over Venezuela to win the bronze medal on Saturday. They also beat Venezuela 6-5 in the Super Round of the Premier12 on Friday and wrapped up the tournament going 2-2.
Chinese Taipei shut out Japan in the championship game 4-0 to win the Premier12 and hand them their first loss in international play since 2019. Team USA lost to Japan 9-1 and Chinese Taipei 8-2.
Johnson went 1-4 with one run scored and a walk and one strikeout on Saturday. After grounding out in his first two at-bats, the Pirates’ left-handed hitting middle infield prospect singled to center field with one out in the top of the sixth inning. He stole second base, then came around to score with two outs on an infield single from Tampa Bay Rays left-handed hitting outfield prospect Chandler Simpson to extend Team USA’s lead to 3-0.
Team USA went 5-4 in the Premier12. In the previous Premier12, the US finished in fourth place.
Johnson struck out and walked in his next two at-bats. The Pirates’ No. 3 prospect by MLB Pipeline and the No. 75 prospect in baseball hit .310/.414/.429 with one home run and two RBIs in nine games. He also walked six times and struck out nine times.
Before playing in the WBSC Premier12, Johnson played in the Arizona Fall League. The left-handed hitting prospect batted .250/.444/.475 with one home run and four RBIs across 11 games for the Scottsdale Scorpions. He also walked 14 times and scored nine runs.
Johnson, who was the fourth overall pick in the 2022 MLB Draft by Pittsburgh spent time with High-A Greensboro (110 games) and Double-A Altoona (14 games) in 2024. He batted .237/.366/.386 with 15 home runs and 54 RBIs in his 124 games played.
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PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — The holiday season began in Pittsburgh on Saturday night with the city’s popular Light Up Night event.
Thousands crowded Downtown streets to ring in the holidays.
The iconic Highmark Christmas tree was lit along with trees at the City-County Building and PPG Place. A new light show on the Sister Bridges was also unveiled.
“It’s just a magical time of the year,” said Nicole Ambrogio.
She brought her kids to see the Highmark tree lit up.
“It almost gives you that Times Square-like feeling,” said Melissa Iaquinta. “It was amazing. The fireworks are always an added touch, and it’s beautiful.”
Vendors also filled Market Square, along with caroling and drumming.
“This is my first Light Up Night. It’s honestly amazing. I love all the music,” said Pietro Pucci. “It’s really magical; it’s like a winter wonderland come to life.”
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