New research at the University of Georgia’s College of Public Health finds a wide racial disparity in survival rates of cancer, particularly for those who live in rural areas. The research was published in the journal Cancer.
The researchers compiled data calculating mortality-to-incidence ratios, or MIRs. These ratios adjust the data to account for differences in cancer incidence among various groups. The results showed that African Americans had higher MIRs than Whites for all types of cancer. The racial disparities in mortality rates were the greatest for oral, prostate, and cervical cancers.
The racial disparities were more pronounced in rural areas. The authors conclude that Blacks in these areas had limited access to quality health care, were more likely to be poor, and had lower levels of education, factors that can contribute to inferior heathcare outcomes.
