Fact Check: "A 2022 study Terrell co-authored found higher cancer rates in Black or impoverished communities in Louisiana."
What We Know
A 2022 study co-authored by Kimberly A. Terrell and Gianna St. Julien investigated the relationship between cancer incidence and toxic air pollution in Louisiana, particularly focusing on Black and impoverished communities. The study utilized data from the Louisiana Tumor Registry (2008-2017) and the U.S. Census Bureau to analyze cancer risk associated with air pollution, race, and poverty across various census tracts in Louisiana (source-1). The findings indicated that higher estimated cancer risk from air pollutants was significantly correlated with increased cancer incidence, especially in areas with higher proportions of impoverished or Black residents (source-5).
The study concluded that toxic air pollution is a contributing factor to the cancer burden in Louisiana's marginalized communities, corroborating long-held beliefs among residents of these areas regarding their health risks (source-1).
Analysis
The evidence presented in the study is robust, employing a comprehensive methodology that includes linear regression and model selection techniques to control for various factors such as smoking and obesity rates. This methodological rigor enhances the credibility of the findings. The correlation between cancer rates and air pollution in impoverished and predominantly Black communities is supported by statistical analysis, showing a strong relationship (correlation coefficient of 0.69, P < 0.0001) between race, poverty, and cancer risk (source-1).
The Tulane Environmental Law Clinic's report, which also references this study, emphasizes the importance of considering poverty and pollution together to understand health outcomes in these communities (source-2). Critics of the study's implications often point to smoking and obesity as primary factors for Louisiana's high cancer rates; however, the study found no evidence that these factors significantly contributed to the observed link between air pollution and cancer incidence (source-2).
The sources used in the study, including data from the Louisiana Tumor Registry and the U.S. Census Bureau, are reputable and publicly available, which allows for the reproducibility of the findings. This transparency adds to the reliability of the study (source-2).
Conclusion
The claim that a 2022 study co-authored by Terrell found higher cancer rates in Black or impoverished communities in Louisiana is True. The study provides substantial evidence linking toxic air pollution to increased cancer incidence in these communities, highlighting significant public health concerns that have been long recognized by residents. The rigorous methodology and credible data sources further support the validity of the findings.
Sources
- Air pollution is linked to higher cancer rates among black or impoverished communities in Louisiana
- Tulane Environmental Law Clinic issues report on air pollution's link to higher cancer rates
- Tulane scientist resigns citing university censorship of pollution and racial disparity research
- Tulane scientist resigns citing university censorship ... - WWNO
- Air pollution is linked to higher cancer rates among black or impoverished communities in Louisiana
- Air pollution is linked to higher cancer rates among black or impoverished communities in Louisiana
- Air Pollution and Cancer Risk Found Among Black, Low-Income Residents in Louisiana
- Cancer rates are higher in polluted, poorer Louisiana neighborhoods, new study says
