Curie Brief
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News
Colorectal cancer mortality has dropped significantly across the U.S. since 2000, but roughly 8% of counties still face death rates twice the national average. Black men in the Southeast and American Indian or Alaska Native men in Alaska and the Midwest are hit hardest. Researchers say these "hotspots" demand closer attention to understand what's driving the persistent disparities.
Good news on colorectal cancer — with a catch. Nationally, death rates for adults 45 and older have fallen sharply since 2000, thanks largely to expanded colonoscopy screening that not only catches cancer earlier but removes precancerous polyps before they become dangerous. All major racial and ethnic groups saw declines, with Black men and women experiencing the largest drops in absolute terms.
But zoom into the county level, and the picture gets darker. About 8% of U.S. counties are being "left behind," with some reporting over 100 deaths per 100,000 people — twice the national average. These hotspots are concentrated among Black men in the Southeast and American Indian or Alaska Native men in Alaska and the Midwest, where mortality rates in some counties topped 200 per 100,000.
By the Numbers:
Why it matters: National averages can mask severe local inequities. Identifying county-level hotspots — and understanding whether they're tied to rural access, income, or food deserts — is critical to closing the gap and ensuring screening benefits reach every community.
