Redlined Communities Face Longer Emergency Medical Response Times, Study Finds

A recent study highlights significant disparities in emergency medical services (EMS) response times across historically redlined neighborhoods in the United States. Published in JAMA Network Open, the research reveals that communities subjected to discriminatory lending practices in the past are now experiencing slower EMS responses, which can critically impact health outcomes.

Redlining was a policy where the federal government and banks systematically refused mortgages to residents of Black and Hispanic communities, labeling neighborhoods with higher non-white populations as risky for investment. These practices, sanctioned in the 1930s and continued through the mid-20th century, contributed to segregated urban landscapes that persist today.

Researchers mapped EMS stations across 236 cities, overlaying data from the 1930s Home Owners' Loan Corporation maps. They found that neighborhoods historically rated as "hazardous" for mortgage lending, often with higher Black populations, had notably increased response times. The study defined a "rapid" response as arriving within five minutes, a benchmark set by the National Fire Protection Association for high-priority emergencies.

The findings indicate that over 2.2 million residents in these communities lack access to quick EMS responses. Those living in D-graded neighborhoods—areas deemed "hazardous"—had about a 7% likelihood of experiencing delayed EMS response, compared to 4% in more desirable, A-graded neighborhoods. The disparity was even more pronounced in the Great Lakes region, where residents in D-graded areas faced nearly three times higher odds of slow EMS response.

Most affected are communities with higher Black populations, highlighting ongoing racial health disparities linked to historical policies. The study calls attention to the uneven placement of EMS stations, with fewer stations in urban neighborhoods of color, and emphasizes the importance of improved tracking and accountability of EMS response times.

Delays in emergency care are associated with higher mortality rates, especially for traumatic injuries where time is of the essence—the first hour following an injury is critical. Prior studies have also shown response time disparities for conditions like cardiac arrest, with response times longer by about 10% in low-income ZIP codes.

Addressing these disparities requires acknowledging how structural racism continues to influence health resources and emergency response infrastructure. Improving data collection and ensuring equitable distribution of EMS facilities could help mitigate some of these longstanding inequalities, ultimately saving lives.

For more details, see the original study: source.