Abstract
This senior thesis investigates the alarming gap in medical care for Black women, particularly in female health, focusing on breast cancer mortality in once-redlined areas. Motivated by the evident disparities in access to healthcare, greenspaces, health education, and proper nutrition in these areas, my research hypothesis posits an increased risk of breast cancer mortality for Black women residing in redlined areas. The literature review underscores the adverse health outcomes and reduced healthcare access in redlined neighborhoods, fueled by historical government-sponsored practices and a pervasive mistrust in the medical community among Black women. By employing an adaptation of the Grossman Health model, this study examines the unequal access to health-supportive resources—such as insurance policies, drug costs, greenspaces, healthier food options, and frequent doctor visits—experienced by women in redlined neighborhoods compared to their non-redlined counterparts. The methodology involves categorizing zip codes based on HOLC grade ratings, with regression models assessing the relationship between breast cancer mortality probability and residence in HOLC grade “A” and “D” zip codes for Black women. Findings reveal higher incidence rates for women in redlined areas, and a significant positive relationship emerges between being a Black woman and breast cancer mortality in redlined zip codes. The implications extend beyond statistical significance, prompting critical questions into the intersectionality of race, residential segregation, and healthcare access. The results underscore the pressing need for targeted interventions to address healthcare disparities faced by Black women in historically redlined areas, while emphasizing the vital comprehensive policies needed to rectify historical injustices and promote health equity.
Advisor
Krause, Brooke
Department
Business Economics
Recommended Citation
Walker, Liam Adrian, "The Enduring Connection: Redlining, Race, and the Ongoing Disparities in Breast Cancer Mortality Rates Among Black Women" (2024). Senior Independent Study Theses. Paper 11200.
https://openworks.wooster.edu/independentstudy/11200
Disciplines
Architecture | Public Health
Keywords
Breast Cancer, Redlining, Disparities
Publication Date
2024
Degree Granted
Bachelor of Arts
Document Type
Senior Independent Study Thesis
© Copyright 2024 Liam Adrian Walker
