Individuals living in rural areas, especially those with skin of color, were found to have a higher prevalence and increased risk of skin cancer, according to a recent study. Exploring the Impact of Rural Living on Skin Cancer Rates: Previous research has shown a greater burden of skin cancer in rural populations. The study, conducted by Rachel R. Lin, BS, and colleagues from the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, aimed to evaluate the role of social determinants of health in urban-rural health disparities. Social Determinants of Health and Skin Cancer: The researchers analyzed data from the 2018 to 2021 Behavior Risk Factor Surveillance Survey, which included 170,871 participants from California, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, and Tennessee. Results indicated that rural populations had a higher prevalence of skin cancer history across different races. Discrepancies Among Racial Groups: While rural non-Hispanic white patients had a higher risk of skin cancer compared to their urban counterparts, the odds were significantly higher for rural patients identifying as Black, Hispanic, or other non-Hispanic races. Notably, Asians in rural areas had over 20 times the risk of developing skin cancer compared to urban populations. Role of Household Income: Interestingly, individuals in rural areas with a household income above $100,000 showed no significant difference in skin cancer rates when compared to urban counterparts. Implications and Future Research: Although no direct clinical implications were drawn from the associations, the study emphasizes the need for increased specialty care in rural communities to address skin cancer disparities. Lin stressed the importance of connecting rural patients to dermatological care for early identification and treatment of skin cancer. In conclusion, the study sheds light on the impact of social determinants of health on skin cancer outcomes and calls for further research into the disparities among different racial and ethnic groups in rural areas.