Cancer remains deadlier for some children than others in America, according to a newly released report from the American Association for Cancer Research. While overall five-year survival rates for pediatric cancers have climbed to 87 percent, deep disparities persist along racial and ethnic lines.
Hispanic children face the highest cancer incidence rates among all groups in the United States. Even more troubling, non-Hispanic Black children are nearly 30 percent more likely to die from certain pediatric cancers compared to their non-Hispanic White counterparts. These gaps exist despite decades of research that have dramatically improved outcomes for many young patients.
Geography and economics compound these racial disparities. Children living in rural or economically disadvantaged areas experience higher mortality rates, often because they lack access to specialized cancer centers, clinical trials, and supportive services that could save their lives. The report notes that while more than 30 new drugs have been approved for pediatric cancer over the past decade, not all patients have benefited equally from this progress.
The survival gap extends globally as well. Between 80 and 90 percent of pediatric cancer cases occur in low- and middle-income countries, where survival rates lag far behind wealthier nations. Elaine Mardis, cochair of the report’s steering committee, emphasized the need for continued data sharing and international collaboration to address these persistent inequalities and ensure future treatments benefit all children.
See: “AACR Releases First Pediatric Cancer Progress Report” (December 4, 2025)
