Redlined areas have lower cancer screening rates.

People who live in historically redlined areas are less likely to be screened for breast, colorectal, and cervical cancer than people who live in areas not associated with redlining practices, according to a study published in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons. Redlining is a discriminatory practice in which financial institutions refuse to provide loans or insurance to people who live in an area deemed to be a poor financial risk. The practice predominately impacted Black home buyers, contributing to segregation and inequality. The study underscores the responsibility of healthcare systems to proactively tackle social determinants of health, such as redlining, to achieve equitable access to cancer screening and ultimately save lives.