Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a leading cause of cancer mortality in the United States, and outcomes are strongly influenced by stage at diagnosis. This ecological study examined the relationship between community-level socioeconomic status (SES) and stage at CRC diagnosis in Florida using cancer registry data linked with census block group information. Lower SES communities exhibited a higher relative risk of late-stage CRC diagnosis, particularly among Whites and non-Hispanic Whites, while patterns differed for Hispanics and rural residents. Findings suggest that socioeconomic disadvantage is associated with delayed CRC diagnosis and highlight the importance of targeted screening efforts in underserved communities.
