A new study published in the *Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology* reveals a significant reduction in the esophageal cancer mortality gap between Black and White adults from 1999 to 2020. 

The research, led by Dr. Chun-Wei Pan from John H. Stroger, Jr., Hospital of Cook County, analyzed data from the CDC-WONDER database. It found that while the age-adjusted mortality rate for esophageal cancer among Black adults decreased substantially, the rate among White adults remained relatively stable, resulting in a narrowing of the racial mortality disparity.

The study identified 303,267 esophageal cancer deaths in the U.S. over the 21-year period. For Black adults, the mortality rate fell from 6.52 to 2.62 per 100,000. In contrast, the rate among White adults declined slightly from 4.19 to 3.97 per 100,000. Notably, Black women saw a decrease from 3.31 to 2.29 per 100,000, whereas White women’s rate increased from 1.52 to 1.99. Among younger men, the mortality rate for Black men dropped from 12.82 to 6.26 per 100,000, while White men’s rate rose from 9.90 to 10.57 per 100,000.

The research also noted that while Black adults in the Midwest and South had higher mortality rates initially, these disparities have decreased over time. By 2020, mortality rates were lower for Black men across all regions.

To further address these disparities, the authors recommend implementing targeted screening programs tailored to the predominant histological subtypes in different racial groups. They also advocate for increased access to endoscopic treatments, research into novel screening tools, and public health interventions aimed at risk factors such as obesity.