Atlanta Journal-Constitution Examines Racial Disparities in Georgia

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Sept. 24 examined the disproportionate number of African Americans in Georgia who die from cancer, as well as the state's response to the problem, in the first part of an occasional series on disparities in health care for Georgia cancer patients. Although African Americans nationwide have a higher cancer mortality rate than whites, the "disparity is even larger in Georgia for four of the five top cancer killers" -- prostate, breast, colon and pancreatic cancers. For example, African-American men in Georgia men die of prostate cancer 2.5 times more often than white men, and African-American women die of breast cancer 33% more often than white women. The disparity in cancer outcomes in Georgia results in part from a lack of research funds, inadequate health care in rural areas and unhealthy lifestyles, the Journal-Constitution reports. To address the problem, Gov. Roy Barnes (D) established the Georgia Cancer Coalition, funded in part by the state's share of the national tobacco settlement. Supporters hope that the 10-year program will encourage cancer research and improve cancer screening and prevention efforts in the state (Wahlberg, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 9/24).