A recent study published in the *Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology* on July 24 reveals a significant shift in esophageal cancer mortality rates between Black and White adults from 1999 to 2020. Conducted by Dr. Chun-Wei Pan of the John H. Stroger, Jr., Hospital of Cook County in Chicago, the study utilized CDC-WONDER data to analyze mortality trends across racial groups.

 The research identified a total of 303,267 esophageal cancer deaths during the study period, highlighting pronounced racial disparities. The age-adjusted mortality rate for Black adults fell from 6.52 to 2.62 per 100,000, while the rate for White adults slightly decreased from 4.19 to 3.97 per 100,000, effectively narrowing the racial gap. Notably, Black women saw a decrease in mortality from 3.31 to 2.29 per 100,000, whereas White women experienced an increase from 1.52 to 1.99.

The trend was similar for young men: Black men’s mortality rate decreased from 12.82 to 6.26 per 100,000, while White men’s rate increased from 9.90 to 10.57 per 100,000. In the Midwest and South, Black adults initially faced higher mortality rates compared to Whites, but this disparity diminished over time. By 2020, mortality rates for Black men were lower than for their White counterparts in all regions.

The study’s authors recommend targeted screening programs tailored to racial differences in esophageal cancer histology, enhanced access to endoscopic treatments, and investment in research for new screening methods and public health interventions addressing risk factors such as obesity.

In a separate investigation, researchers examined the impact of the pandemic on public trust in doctors. Analyzing data from 24 internet survey waves conducted between April 2020 and January 2024, encompassing over 582,000 responses from 443,000 adults, they found a marked decline in trust. Trust in hospital doctors dropped from 72% in April 2020 to 40% in January 2024. The loss of trust was notably prevalent among adults aged 25 to 64, women, those in rural areas, and individuals with lower education and income levels.

Despite accounting for political partisanship, the decline in trust was not solely attributable to political factors. The decrease in trust correlated with reduced likelihood of receiving critical vaccines: COVID vaccinations were 4.9 times less likely, flu vaccinations 5.1 times less likely, and COVID booster shots 3.6 times less likely among those who had lost trust in doctors.

Researchers also explored the reasons behind diminished trust using AI to analyze responses. Common concerns included skepticism about financial motives, doubts about care quality, perceived influence from external agendas, and experiences of discrimination. The study underscores the need for targeted strategies to restore public trust in healthcare, emphasizing that addressing specific concerns rather than implementing a uniform approach will be crucial for preparing for future public health challenges.