County-Level Structural Racism Indices and Racial Disparities in Lung Cancer Care - Report - MDSpire

County-Level Structural Racism Indices and Racial Disparities in Lung Cancer Care

  • By

  • Jacquelyne J. Gaddy

  • Do H. Lee

  • Jeph Herrin

  • James B. Yu

  • Craig E. Pollack

  • Lorraine T. Dean

  • Geoff B. Dougherty

  • Maureen E. Canavan

  • Pamela R. Soulos

  • Cary P. Gross

  • May 20, 2026

  • 0 min

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Structural Racism Metrics at the County Level and Their Impact on Racial Inequities in Lung Cancer Treatment

Overview

Expand on the definitions of the Structural Racism Effect Index and County Structural Racism index.

Background

Incorporate recent statistics or studies to enhance the context of racial disparities.

Data Highlights

This study analyzed Medicare beneficiaries diagnosed with NSCLC from 2013 to 2019, focusing on the impact of structural racism metrics on treatment outcomes.

Key Findings

  • Black patients are less likely to be diagnosed with localized NSCLC compared to White patients.
  • The County Structural Racism (CSR) index measures dissimilarity in various domains, including housing and education, affecting cancer care.
  • Higher CSR index values correlate with poorer treatment outcomes for Black patients.
  • Structural racism metrics can moderate the disparities in NSCLC care between Black and White patients.
  • Prior research indicates that Black cancer patients often reside in areas with greater socioeconomic deprivation.

Clinical Implications

Healthcare providers should consider the impact of structural racism on treatment disparities when developing care plans for lung cancer patients. Addressing these inequities may improve outcomes for marginalized populations, particularly Black patients with NSCLC.

Conclusion

The findings underscore the need for a comprehensive understanding of structural racism in healthcare to effectively address racial disparities in lung cancer treatment and outcomes.

Related Resources & Content

  1. American Journal of Epidemiology, 2023 -- Utilizing a Registry-Based Method to Assess Racial Disparities in Breast Cancer Mortality at the County Level: A Study in Georgia
  2. The ASCO Post, 2020 -- Racial Disparities in Treatment of Common Lung Cancer Persist Despite Gains
  3. The ASCO Post, 2025 -- Evaluation of Racial Classification Standards in U.S. Cancer Surveillance Systems
  4. Therapy for Stage IV Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer Without Driver Alterations: ASCO Living Guideline, Version 2025.1 | Journal of Clinical Oncology
  5. Overall Survival with Osimertinib in Resected EGFR-Mutated NSCLC | New England Journal of Medicine
  6. the asco post — Disparities in U.S. County–Level Cervical Cancer Screening Coverage Lead to Differences in Outcomes
  7. State of Lung Cancer 2025
  8. Therapy for Stage IV Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer Without Driver Alterations: ASCO Living Guideline, Version 2025.1 | Journal of Clinical Oncology
  9. Overall Survival with Osimertinib in Resected EGFR-Mutated NSCLC | New England Journal of Medicine

Original Source(s)

County-Level Structural Racism Indices and Racial Disparities in Lung Cancer Care

  • by Jacquelyne J. Gaddy, Do H. Lee, Jeph Herrin, James B. Yu, Craig E. Pollack, Lorraine T. Dean, Geoff B. Dougherty, Maureen E. Canavan, Pamela R. Soulos, Cary P. Gross

  • May 20, 2026

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