Progress in reducing cancer mortality in the United States by congressional district, 1996–2003 to 2012–2020

Abstract

AbstractBackgroundUnited States cancer death rates have been steadily declining since the early 1990s, but information on disparities in progress against cancer mortality across congressional districts is lacking. This study examined trends in cancer death rates, overall and for lung, colorectal, female breast, and prostate cancer by congressional district.MethodsCounty level cancer death counts and population data from the National Center for Health Statistics were used to estimate relative change in age‐standardized cancer death rates from 1996–2003 to 2012–2020 by sex and congressional district.ResultsFrom 1996–2003 to 2012–2020, overall cancer death rates declined in every congressional district, with most congressional districts showing a 20%–45% decline among males and a 10%–40% decline among females. In general, the smallest percent of relative declines were found in the Midwest and Appalachia, whereas the largest declines were found in the South along the East Coast and the southern border. As a result, the highest cancer death rates generally shifted from congressional districts across the South in 1996–2003 to districts in the Midwest and central divisions of the South (including Appalachia) in 2012–2020. Death rates for lung, colorectal, female breast, and prostate cancers also declined in almost all congressional districts, although with some variation in relative changes and geographical patterns.ConclusionsProgress in reducing cancer death rates during the past 25 years considerably vary by congressional district, underscoring the need for strengthening existing and implementing new public health policies for broad and equitable application of proven interventions such as raising tax on tobacco and Medicaid expansion.