In areas with greater mortgage discrimination, the gap between black and white cancer mortality rates was larger (correlation coefficient [r] = 0.32; P = .001). This relationship persisted in sex‐specific analyses (males, r = 0.37; P < .001; females, r = 0.23; P = .02) and in models controlling for confounders. As described in the November 1, 2019 issue of the journal Cancer, mortgage discrimination is associated with larger black‐to‐white cancer mortality disparities. Some areas are exceptions to this trend. Examination of these exceptions and of policies related to housing discrimination may offer novel strategies for explaining and eliminating cancer disparities. Racial cancer disparities represent a substantial proportion of the overall mortality disparity between blacks and whites and are a major consideration in the provision of clinical care and public health practice and policy. In 2010, cancer accounted for 17% of the life‐expectancy gap between black and white populations, second only to heart disease for women, and, for men, third, also after homicide. A higher chance of mortgage application denial for black applicants tends to reduce black home ownership and increase the likelihood of renting. As opposed to being able to purchase, renting results in a reduced ability to accumulate home equity—a primary source of wealth—which may limit resources available to offset the financial burden of cancer.
More Articles from November 2019 TRENDS
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PRESIDENT’S CORNER
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MASS MEDIA FOCUS ON CAPITOL HILL
While the mass media devote considerable attention to efforts to impeach President Trump, reauthorizing both the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute and funding for historically black colleges and other minority-serving institutions provide examples of other initiatives deserving of increased focus. Read More
HEALTH REFORM DEVELOPMENTS
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DEVELOPMENTS IN HIGHER EDUCATION
Summarizes federal rules involving student assistance, recognition of accrediting agencies, and state agency procedures. Read More
QUICK STAT (SHORT, TIMELY, AND TOPICAL)
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Emergency Department Visits For Sport And Recreational Activities
3D Bioprinting Of A Vascularized And Perfusable Skin Graft Using Human Keratinocytes
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AVAILABLE RESOURCES ACCESSIBLE ELECTRONICALLY
Dialogue About The Workforce For Population Health Improvement
Economic Consequences Of Millennial Health
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WHY AN INSECT APOCALYPSE MATTERS
Mentions the enormous influence that insects have on all other plant and animal species, and how the application of ants’ traffic management skills can benefit humans. Read More
HOUSING DISCRIMINATION AND RACIAL CANCER DISPARITIES
Refers to how mortgage discrimination is associated with larger black‐to‐white cancer mortality disparities resulting from a tendency to reduce black home ownership and increase the likelihood of renting, which has a negative effect on the accumulation of home equity that limits resources available to offset the financial burden of cancer. Read More