A new study reveals that residents of historically redlined neighborhoods face significantly slower emergency medical service (EMS) response times—an inequity with life-threatening consequences. Published in JAMA Network Open, the research mapped EMS centers across 236 U.S. cities and compared them to 1930s Home Owners’ Loan Corporation maps, which labeled majority-Black areas as “hazardous” for investment.
The findings are stark: roughly 7% of residents in D-graded neighborhoods lack rapid EMS access, defined as a response time of five minutes or less. In contrast, only 4% of residents in A-graded, predominantly white neighborhoods face the same delay. In the Great Lakes region, the odds of lacking rapid EMS access were nearly three times higher for residents in redlined areas.
These delays are not just inconvenient—they’re deadly. For traumatic injuries, the first 60 minutes, known as the “golden hour,” are critical. Longer EMS response times have been linked to higher mortality rates, especially in low-income ZIP codes.
The study adds to mounting evidence that structural racism continues to shape health outcomes. Redlined communities still struggle with lower life expectancy, higher pollution exposure, and now, slower emergency care. Researchers call for better tracking and accountability to address these disparities.
See: “Historically redlined communities have slower EMS response times, study shows” (August 5, 2025)
