Hidden dangers: The cancer risks of environmental injustice

Cancer disparities manifest as differences in cancer incidence, outcomes, or mortality across various demographic groups—whether by gender, age, location, sexual orientation, race, or ethnicity. For instance, Black women in the US face a significantly higher mortality rate from breast cancer and are more likely to be diagnosed with aggressive and hard-to-treat subtypes, such as triple-negative breast cancer, than their white or Asian American counterparts. The underlying causes of these disparities are complex and multifaceted.

In this episode of Population Healthy, we explore the pressing question: Why are certain populations unequally impacted by chemical exposures, and how do these exposures contribute to cancer disparities? Our guest, Justin Colacino, Associate Professor of Environmental Health Sciences and Nutritional Sciences at the University of Michigan School of Public Health, delves into the intersection of pollution, environmental exposures, and cancer disparities. Discover how everyday factors like air, water, food, and household products might influence chronic diseases, shedding light on the broader implications for public health.