Disproportionate Impact
A pattern in which one group (often defined by race, income, or geography) suffers significantly more harm from a hazard than the general population, even when overall exposure rates appear similar.
Related terms
Environmental Justice The principle that all people, regardless of race or income, deserve equal protection from environmental hazards and equal access to a healthy environment. Overburdened Community A term officially adopted by the EPA and state governments to describe minority, low-income, tribal, or indigenous populations that experience a disproportionate amount of environmental harm and health risk compared to the general population. Sacrifice Zone A geographic area that has been permanently impaired or deemed expendable for the sake of broader economic growth or industrial production. These zones almost exclusively impact low-income or minority populations. Disadvantaged Community A community designated by federal or state government as bearing a heavy combination of environmental, economic, and health burdens, qualifying it for targeted investment under programs like Justice40.