Redlining Linked to Lower Breast Cancer Screening Rates
Residents in formerly redlined areas have lower mammogram rates, prompting targeted mobile outreach efforts in Kansas.
Updated on Oct. 16, 2026 in Cancer
Live Poll
Do historic investment policies still negatively impact the quality of healthcare access in your community?
Researchers analyzing data from 2016 to 2024 found that women living in neighborhoods once subject to historic redlining are 6% less likely to receive mammograms than those in higher-graded areas. In Kansas, mobile mammogram clinics are now working to reach these communities to help close the screening gap.
Why it matters
Understanding how 1930s housing policies impact current health access is vital for addressing modern breast cancer disparities. Because 84.4% of studied tracts currently fall below national screening goals, this data highlights the need for targeted mobile outreach programs to improve preventive care in underserved areas.
A retrospective analysis of 1,152 census tracts across the Kansas and Missouri region found that redlined communities have 6% lower odds of mammograms compared to top-graded tracts. While poverty and education explain 70% of this disparity, most study areas still fall short of national targets.
The players
University of Kansas Cancer Center
An academic institution that provides cancer care and conducts research on health disparities in the Kansas and Missouri region.
The details
The study examined how housing grades assigned by the Home Owners' Loan Corporation in the 1930s correlate with present-day screening uptake. Researchers determined that poverty and educational attainment account for 44.5% and 25.5% of the screening differences respectively. To bridge these gaps, the University of Kansas currently utilizes mobile mammogram buses to offer direct, localized screening access to residents in historically impacted neighborhoods.
Timeline
1930s: The Home Owners' Loan Corporation grades communities to determine loan eligibility.
1968: The Fair Housing Act officially outlaws the practice of redlining.
2016-2024: Researchers conduct a study analyzing breast cancer screening rates across census tracts.
2024: Breast cancer screening rates experience a decline after a period of stabilization.
Health Landscape
This study highlights the persistent gap between historical urban development policies and national preventive health targets. It illustrates how the Healthy People 2030 goal of 80.3% remains out of reach for the vast majority of studied census tracts.
If you live in an area that has experienced historical disinvestment, stay proactive about scheduling your routine mammogram. If you are behind on screenings, discuss potential mobile clinics or local screening programs with your primary care provider.
The takeaway
Historic housing practices can create lasting barriers to health services that require specialized outreach to overcome. Consult your physician to ensure you are up to date on your recommended breast cancer screenings, regardless of your neighborhood history.
Further reading
For more information on screening guidelines, visit Cancer.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Healio.
Live Poll
Do historic investment policies still negatively impact the quality of healthcare access in your community?
