A new study published in the journal Cancer reveals a strong link between structural racism and increased cancer risk from traffic-related air pollution. Researchers from Emory University examined 134 counties in Georgia, developing a comprehensive measure of structural racism that goes beyond residential segregation to include factors such as education, employment, incarceration, economic status, political participation, and home ownership.
The study found that people living in neighborhoods with the highest levels of structural racism had a 7.8 times higher estimated risk of developing cancer from traffic-related air pollutants compared to those in areas with low structural racism. This suggests that neighborhood racial disparities in exposure to harmful air pollution may be partially explained by variations in county-level structural racism.
Lead researcher Dr. Christine C. Ekenga emphasized, “By highlighting the link between structural inequalities and environmental health risks, our study underscores the importance of addressing social and systemic issues to improve public health outcomes.”
The researchers noted that multiple aspects of structural racism could contribute to increased exposure to carcinogenic air pollution. For instance, limited educational and job opportunities may restrict individuals’ ability to move to less polluted areas, while poor political representation could result in inadequate measures to mitigate traffic-related pollution.
This study provides valuable insights for policymakers, highlighting the need for targeted interventions to reduce exposure to traffic-related air pollutants and address underlying social inequities that contribute to racial health disparities.
See “Structural racism in neighborhoods linked to risk of cancer from traffic-related air pollution” (August 26, 2024)
