Season 2025, Episode 49: Mapping the Impact of Historical Redlining on Modern Health Outcomes | Leveraging AI to Create Virtual Enumeration Districts from 1940 Census Data
In this captivating episode of SciBud, join your host Rowan as we delve into the groundbreaking research that merges historical census data with artificial intelligence to create "virtual enumeration districts." This innovative approach helps us unravel the legacy of discriminatory practices like redlining and their ongoing impact on modern health outcomes. By geocoding over 7.2 million addresses from the 1940 U.S. census, researchers constructed nearly 35,000 virtual districts, revealing startling correlations between past housing policies and current health disparities. With insights drawn from their intricate algorithms and alignment with historical redlining maps, this study not only sheds light on the long-lasting effects of social determinants on health, but also sets the stage for future explorations into health equity across generations. Tune in for an engaging discussion of the intersection between history, technology, and health research, and discover how understanding our past can inform our future well-being.