Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Cancer Occurrence and Outcomes in Rural United States
1
Public Health, Southern Connecticut State University, New Haven, United States
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A2767
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Cancer is the second-leading cause of death in the United States. Rural areas, encompassing more than 46 million residents, have higher cancer incidence and death rates compared to urban areas. Social determinants of rural health differences include lower educational attainment, higher poverty rates, higher unemployment, and increased likelihood of under- or uninsured residents, when compared to urban areas. Racial and ethnic underrepresented groups in rural areas face substantial income, educational, and occupational disparities and have less healthcare access, fueling cancer disparities. Most studies have reported rural versus urban and Black versus White cancer disparities. However, few studies have investigated racial disparities in rural areas.
METHODS:
A systematic search of PubMed and Google Scholar databases was performed. Peer-reviewed articles published from 2004-2023 were included. Three authors independently reviewed the articles and reached consensus.
RESULTS:
After reviewing 993 articles, a total of 30 articles met the inclusion criteria and were included in this review. All studies were conducted in the United States, with the majority in the southern states. Studies revealed that underrepresented racial and ethnic groups in rural areas were more likely to have low cancer-related knowledge, low screening, high incidence, less access to treatment, and high mortality compared to their White counterparts. Various social determinants of health such as having low income, lower educational attainment, living in an impoverished area, reduced access to healthcare services, being under- or uninsured, and social isolation, were the main drivers of cancer disparities. Environmental, cultural, and structural factors such as systemic racism also have been reported.
CONCLUSIONS:
Underrepresented racial and ethnic groups in rural areas of the United States experience a high burden of cancer. Improving social determinants of health can help mitigate cancer disparities. Culturally tailored interventions may also help reduce cancer burden and improve outcomes among underrepresented populations in rural areas.
Cancer is the second-leading cause of death in the United States. Rural areas, encompassing more than 46 million residents, have higher cancer incidence and death rates compared to urban areas. Social determinants of rural health differences include lower educational attainment, higher poverty rates, higher unemployment, and increased likelihood of under- or uninsured residents, when compared to urban areas. Racial and ethnic underrepresented groups in rural areas face substantial income, educational, and occupational disparities and have less healthcare access, fueling cancer disparities. Most studies have reported rural versus urban and Black versus White cancer disparities. However, few studies have investigated racial disparities in rural areas.
METHODS:
A systematic search of PubMed and Google Scholar databases was performed. Peer-reviewed articles published from 2004-2023 were included. Three authors independently reviewed the articles and reached consensus.
RESULTS:
After reviewing 993 articles, a total of 30 articles met the inclusion criteria and were included in this review. All studies were conducted in the United States, with the majority in the southern states. Studies revealed that underrepresented racial and ethnic groups in rural areas were more likely to have low cancer-related knowledge, low screening, high incidence, less access to treatment, and high mortality compared to their White counterparts. Various social determinants of health such as having low income, lower educational attainment, living in an impoverished area, reduced access to healthcare services, being under- or uninsured, and social isolation, were the main drivers of cancer disparities. Environmental, cultural, and structural factors such as systemic racism also have been reported.
CONCLUSIONS:
Underrepresented racial and ethnic groups in rural areas of the United States experience a high burden of cancer. Improving social determinants of health can help mitigate cancer disparities. Culturally tailored interventions may also help reduce cancer burden and improve outcomes among underrepresented populations in rural areas.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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