Geographical Disparities of Lung Cancer Mortality Centered on Central Appalachia

Abstract

This article explores regional disparities in lung cancer mortality for females and males and associated factors across central Appalachia and surrounding regions. It asks, how are lung cancer mortality rates distributed geographically, what are the relative contributions of specific factors to lung cancer disparities by sex, and how do the effects of these factors vary across the study area? This study is based on county-level data of potential determinants of disease to explore local effects on lung cancer mortality. It analyzes these data using a combination of spatial statistical analyses. The analysis shows that the spatial clustering of high lung cancer mortality rates differs for females and males. Additionally, the factors associated with lung cancer for females and males differ greatly. For instance, tobacco use is associated with male lung cancer mortality, but not with female lung cancer mortality. These factors also vary in their geographical relationships with female and male lung cancer mortality.