Summary
The way in which macro-level forces perpetuate racial and ethnic inequities, also known as structural racism (SR), can have an impact on cancer outcomes. To investigate this, researchers conducted a study that focused on patients with metastatic breast cancer (mBC) and examined several neighborhood-level measures of SR as indicators of racial and economic segregation to determine if these measures were predictive of survival among patients with mBC.
Why this matters
Measuring and identifying inequities associated with structural racism can be done through a range of measures, from complex and multidimensional tools like the Index of Concentration at the Extremes to simpler measures such as %Black.
Assessing these measures can help researchers understand the various factors contributing to structural racism in specific neighborhoods, determine potential predictors of survival for patients with mBC, and devise strategies to enhance access to resources and opportunities for those most affected.