### Impact of Redlining on Heart Failure Risk in Black Communities Recent research has shown that Black people living in areas historically affected by redlining face a greater risk of heart failure compared to those living in other areas. Redlining was a discriminatory policy that started in the 1930s and was banned in the late 1960s. It denied Black people loans and insurance to buy homes in more desirable neighborhoods, leading to long-term socioeconomic distress. The study, published in the American Heart Association’s journal Circulation, analyzed data from over 2.3 million Medicare beneficiaries between 2014 and 2019. This included 800,000 Black Americans and 1.6 million non-Hispanic White adults. Researchers found that Black adults living in ZIP codes affected by redlining have an 8% greater risk of heart failure than those in unaffected areas. This increased risk is partly due to higher levels of socioeconomic distress in these communities. Additionally, Black people in these neighborhoods also face higher rates of hypertension and type 2 diabetes, which are risk factors for heart failure. Interestingly, the study found that White adults living in historically redlined communities did not have a higher risk of heart failure, highlighting the unique impact of structural racism on Black communities. In summary, the legacy of redlining continues to affect the health of Black communities, increasing their risk of heart failure and other related health issues.