Roundtable on Black in cancer research and oncology

But also, it is important to note that these profiles of climate vulnerability are directly linked to differences in cancer screening participation. These neighborhoods have a high concentration of populations who are more likely to suffer from climate exposures that negatively impact their health. Additionally, these neighborhoods are often vulnerable to these threats systematically.

Ideally, we would expect these populations to have higher-than-average participation in cancer screening in order to prevent the emergence of future hotspots of cancer incidents and even mortality. However, the reality is quite the opposite. This emphasizes the significant amount of work that still needs to be done.

This work highlights the importance of considering co-beneficial interventions that address the social context and the world around us in order to improve outcomes in behavioral risk factors, such as cancer screening. It is crucial that we think more intentionally about these interventions to bring about positive change.