Black Cancer Rates Declining, But Disparities Persist: Examining the Role of Environmental and Occupational Exposure

The latest research offers a mix of progress and persistent inequities in cancer outcomes for Black Americans. A recent study by the American Cancer Society (ACS) highlights a significant decline in cancer mortality rates among Black individuals. However, despite these improvements, Black Americans continue to face higher cancer death rates than other racial and ethnic groups. This disparity underscores a complex web of factors—including historical injustices, environmental hazards, and occupational risks—that continue to place Black communities at a heightened risk.

Progress in Cancer Outcomes

The ACS study, released this week, confirms that cancer deaths among Black Americans have been steadily decreasing. This decline aligns with broader national trends, driven by advancements in early detection, treatment, and prevention efforts such as smoking cessation programs. However, while overall rates are improving, Black individuals still experience significantly higher mortality rates compared to white Americans and other racial groups.

Several factors contribute to this persistent gap, including differences in access to healthcare, lower rates of early cancer detection, and disparities in treatment. Socioeconomic factors, such as insurance coverage and medical bias, continue to limit the effectiveness of cancer care for many Black patients.

The Role of Environmental Exposure

One major, yet often overlooked, contributor to racial cancer disparities is environmental exposure. Black communities are disproportionately located near industrial plants, toxic waste sites, and Superfund sites—highly polluted locations requiring federal cleanup. A study from the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Human Rights Institute found that people of color, particularly Black Americans, are more likely to live near hazardous areas with elevated levels of air and water pollution.

Prolonged exposure to industrial pollutants such as benzene, asbestos, heavy metals, and other carcinogens increases cancer risk. Research has shown strong links between environmental toxins and higher rates of lung, liver, and other types of cancer. Additionally, limited access to clean water, fresh food, and green spaces exacerbates health challenges in these communities.

Occupational Risks and Cancer Disparities

Historically, Black Americans have been overrepresented in dangerous industries, including manufacturing, construction, and shipbuilding—sectors known for high exposure to toxic materials. For decades, many Black workers were employed in roles with minimal safety protections, facing routine exposure to carcinogens like asbestos, diesel exhaust, and industrial chemicals.

This occupational exposure has had long-term consequences, with higher rates of asbestos-related diseases, lung cancer, and mesothelioma among Black workers compared to their white counterparts. Despite improved workplace safety regulations, the legacy of these hazardous jobs continues to manifest in cancer disparities today.

Addressing the Disparity: Where Do We Go From Here?

While the decline in overall Black cancer mortality rates is encouraging, the persistence of racial disparities signals the need for targeted interventions. Several key steps can help bridge this gap:

• Expanding Access to Early Detection and Screening – Increasing screening programs in underserved communities can help detect cancer at earlier, more treatable stages. Mobile screening units and community-based healthcare initiatives have shown promise in improving outcomes.
• Addressing Environmental Racism – Stronger policies are needed to regulate pollution in predominantly Black neighborhoods, enforce stricter environmental laws, and ensure fair land-use planning. Advocating for cleanup efforts in areas near industrial plants and Superfund sites is critical.
• Improving Workplace Safety Protections – Continued enforcement of occupational safety standards, as well as compensation and healthcare support for workers historically exposed to carcinogens, can help mitigate long-term health effects.
• Enhancing Access to Quality Healthcare – Addressing systemic barriers such as lack of insurance, medical mistrust, and implicit bias in treatment decisions can improve cancer care equity. Expanding Medicaid and funding community health programs are essential strategies.

The declining cancer mortality rate among Black Americans is a testament to medical advancements and public health efforts. However, the persistent racial disparity in cancer deaths underscores the deep-seated environmental, occupational, and systemic factors that continue to put Black communities at higher risk. To close this gap, a comprehensive approach that prioritizes prevention, early detection, environmental justice, and equitable healthcare access is necessary. Without addressing these root causes, progress will remain uneven, and the burden of cancer will continue to weigh disproportionately on Black communities.