New research shows screening tools often miss rural communities for funding
University of New Hampshire researchers found that government screening tools used to identify disadvantaged areas produce significantly different results depending on which agency created them.
Four tools compared across regions
The study examined four environmental justice screening tools that rely on data regarding income, pollution, and health. Three of these instruments were developed by federal agencies including the White House, the Department of Energy, and the Department of Transportation. The fourth tool originated from New York state authorities.
Discrepancies vary by location
Nationally, the Department of Energy tool marked about 18 percent of census tracts as disadvantaged while other tools identified roughly 35 percent. In New York state, more than half of the census tracts were flagged by at least one instrument but only 14 percent appeared on all four lists. These large gaps suggest that community prioritization for public support depends heavily on the specific measurement method used.
Agency choices drive results
Researchers noted that differences between the tools often stem from mission-specific choices rather than obvious documentation errors. Qingran Li, an assistant professor of economics at the University of New Hampshire, highlighted how frequently these variations occur. The findings indicate that rural areas might be overlooked for funding simply because the selected tool does not capture their needs.
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