Understanding the Population We Serve

The UF Health Cancer Center serves more than 2.1 million residents across 23 counties of North and Central Florida, spanning about 17,500 square miles, about the size of Southern New England.

Most of the counties (16) are rural and every county is classified as a medically underserved area. The population includes people who are Black (15%), Hispanic (12%), and has the highest fraction (24%) of residents aged 65 years or older in Florida.

Through community outreach, the UF Health Cancer Center supports efforts to increase health literacy, prevention, screening, and research engagement.

Size The catchment area is larger than Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Connecticut combined.

Advanced-stage rates The majority of counties in the catchment area have higher advanced-stage cancer rates than the state average.

Size The catchment area is larger than Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Connecticut combined.

Advanced-stage rates The majority of counties in the catchment area have higher advanced-stage cancer rates than the state average.

Aging population A significant portion of residents in the catchment area are over 65 years old.

20% Most counties in the catchment area have a smoking rate of 20% or higher.

Tobacco use A high percentage of new cancer cases in the catchment area are related to tobacco use.

1 million Nearly 1 million individuals in the catchment area reside in areas with socioeconomic vulnerability.

Mammography The mammography rate in the catchment area is lower than the state average.

HPV vaccination The HPV vaccination completion rate in the catchment area is lower than the state average.