Enduring Cancer Disparities by Persistent Poverty, Rurality, and Race: 1990-1992 to 2014-2018

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Epidemiology
• Cancer Research

Background:

• Persistent poverty counties are often rural and have high minority populations.
• Cancer mortality disparities linked to persistent poverty, rurality, and race are not well-studied.
• Understanding these intersections is crucial for public health interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze cancer mortality disparities in persistent poverty counties.
• To examine trends in these disparities over time (1990-2018).
• To identify specific cancer types and demographic groups most affected.

Main Methods:

• Utilized National Death Index data (1990-1992 and 2014-2018) for cancer deaths.
• Linked mortality data with county characteristics: persistent poverty and rurality.
• Calculated absolute (range difference) and relative (range ratio) disparities across demographic and geographic factors.

Main Results:

• Persistent poverty counties showed higher cancer mortality rates compared to non-persistent poverty counties in both time periods.
• Disparities widened for colorectal and breast cancer mortality between 1990-1992 and 2014-2018.
• African American/Black individuals in rural, persistent poverty counties experienced the highest mortality rates for multiple cancer types.

Conclusions:

• Cancer mortality disparities associated with persistent poverty are enduring, particularly for racial minorities in rural areas.
• Significant disparities persist across various cancer sites.
• Multisectoral interventions are essential to address and reduce these health inequities.