In Miami’s Little Haiti, cancer screening rates lag behind national and county averages, revealing a troubling disparity in preventive care. A literature review by researchers at Florida International University highlights how socioeconomic, cultural, and systemic barriers contribute to lower adherence to breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer screenings in this predominantly Black and immigrant community.
West Little River, used as a proxy for Little Haiti, shows cervical cancer screening rates at 77.3%—below the national average of 82.8%. Colorectal cancer screening is even lower at 66.8%. Language barriers, limited health literacy, and misconceptions about cancer contribute to these gaps. Haitian women, in particular, were found to have less awareness of HPV and more fatalistic views about cervical cancer.
The review points to structural issues like high poverty rates, lack of broadband internet, and a 22.3% uninsured rate as major obstacles. One study found that households without a regular source of care were about 70% less likely to adhere to colorectal screening guidelines.
Programs like FIU’s Neighborhood Health Education Learning Program (NHELP) offer promising solutions by integrating education with preventive care. Still, the review calls for more culturally tailored interventions, including native-language education and mobile screening units. The authors stress that addressing these disparities requires more than access—it demands trust, cultural understanding, and sustained community engagement.
See: “Addressing Cancer Screening Disparities in Little Haiti, Miami, USA: A Literature Review on Barriers and Solutions” (May 22, 2025)