The dangers of living in "red-light districts": why residents face a significantly higher risk of dying from cancer.

The term "red-light district" has nothing to do with the color of the buildings in that area; it actually stems from historical and outdated design practices. However, researchers have discovered that living in such environments can pose significant risks to our health.

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Historical discrimination in housing may be a key factor contributing to higher cancer mortality rates in certain areas, researchers have discovered. A new study revealed that individuals under 40 living in previously segregated neighborhoods have worse cancer survival rates compared to residents of other areas. This trend is linked to outdated practices of neighborhood segregation in urban planning, as reported by Daily Mail.

This alarming pattern has been associated by scientists with "redlining" — a practice from the 1920s and 1930s where neighborhoods predominantly inhabited by minorities were marked as undesirable, restricting financial investments and access to healthcare. Researchers analyzed cancer survival data and found that the risk of death for patients residing in "redlined" areas was 32% higher.

Even after adjusting for factors such as cancer stage and gender, survival rates remained lower. Five years post-diagnosis, 85% of patients in these areas were alive compared to 90% in other regions. After ten years, the survival rates were 81% versus 88%. Dr. Kristin Karvonen, who led the study published in the journal Cancer, stated that systemic racism has played a role in depriving these communities of healthcare resources.

Although "redlining" was officially banned in 1968, its effects persist to this day. Many of these neighborhoods still lack well-funded hospitals, making early cancer detection less likely. Data indicates that residents of disadvantaged areas are more frequently diagnosed with cancer at later stages, complicating treatment. In previously disadvantaged neighborhoods, 22% of cases were identified at stage four, compared to 18% in better-funded areas.

Late-stage cancers are more challenging to treat, resulting in higher mortality rates. This issue is not unique to the United States. In Europe and Ukraine, communities with a history of economic neglect face similar healthcare inequalities. In many cities, low-income areas still have fewer hospitals, limited access to specialists, and higher rates of chronic diseases.

Studies have shown that socio-economic factors impact cancer treatment outcomes worldwide, with marginalized populations often receiving later diagnoses and worse survival rates. Efforts to address these disparities include increasing access to healthcare in underprivileged areas and enhancing early cancer detection programs, according to researchers.

Important! This article is based on the latest scientific and medical research and does not contradict it. The text is for informational purposes only and does not contain medical advice. For a diagnosis, please consult a doctor.