Lung cancer mortality data from the National Center for Health Statistics are post-stratified to 805 health service areas (HSA). Geographic distributions of age-adjusted death rates and the rate changes during three 5-year periods centered on 1985, 1990 and 1995 were examined. Using ArcView GIS the HSA data are spatially represented in map form for analytical purposes. A logistic regression model is applied with age as a covariate to attain a smoothed lung cancer mortality rate for all HSA°¯s. Preliminary analyses of geographic patterns show a trend toward higher rates of lung cancer mortality in the Appalachian mountains, east coast and the Pacific states in each period. Rate changes during the three periods are observed as downward for the Pacific and the Mid-Atlantic. This research will incorporate change point analysis techniques to examine these downward changes. Methodological findings from this research may be applicable to other studies of mortality from different causes of deaths.
Learning Objectives: 1. Understanding large datasets and geographic information systems. 2. Distribution and changes of lung cancer deaths in the U.S. 3. Lung cancer mortality rates are declining.
Keywords: Cancer, Geographic Information Systems
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.