The major decline translates to more than 4.8 million fewer cancer deaths since 1991.
The significant drop can be attributed in large part to sharp reductions in smoking, improved early detection methods, and breakthroughs in targeted treatments, the Cancer Disparities Progress Report 2026 states.
The biennial report, first published in 2020, examines the progress in reducing cancer disparities and the disproportionate burden that cancer has on racial and ethnic minority groups and other underserved populations.
The report shows that the gap in overall cancer mortality between black and white Americans has shrunk dramatically, falling from 34 percent in 1991 to 9 percent in 2024.
Additionally, the gap in cervical cancer mortality between Hispanic and white women narrowed dramatically, shrinking from 70 percent higher among Hispanic women in 2000 to just 10 percent higher in 2024.
Disparities in stomach cancer mortality between Asian or Pacific Islander (API) and White populations also tightened substantially, declining from 150 percent higher among API populations in 2000 to 81 percent higher in 2024.
Nonetheless, cancer remains one of the leading causes of death in the United States, according to AACR researchers.
While progress has been made, AACR also noted in its report that cancer disparities still remain.
Black and American Indian or Alaska Native populations, for example, continue to experience the highest overall cancer mortality rates of any racial or ethnic group in the United States.
Additionally, women living in "persistent-poverty counties" face cervical cancer death rates that are 49 percent higher than those of women living in more affluent counties.
The Trump administration has faced criticism after canceling, freezing, or delaying billions of dollars in National Institutes of Health (NIH) research funding, including grants supporting cancer research.
The NIH, the world's largest funder of biomedical research, faces a proposed 40% budget cut under the Trump administration. The $18 billion reduction would shrink the agency's budget to $27 billion. Additionally, nearly 5,000 NIH employees and contractors have been laid off amid the restructuring of federal health agencies.