Interstitial Lung Disease Mortality Disparities Along the US-Mexico Border, 1999-2020

Area of Science:

• Pulmonary Medicine
• Public Health
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Interstitial lung diseases (ILDs) require specialized care, posing challenges in underserved regions.
• Access barriers can impede optimal diagnosis and management of ILDs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate disparities in interstitial lung disease (ILD) mortality along the US-Mexico (US-MX) border.
• To analyze age-adjusted mortality rates (AAMRs) and trends in border versus nonborder regions.

Main Methods:

• Utilized death certificate data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) repository.
• Analyzed ILD mortality data from 1999-2020, stratified by US-MX border and nonborder regions.
• Employed log-linear regression to assess mortality trends and annual percentage changes (APCs).

Main Results:

• ILD mortality was higher in US-MX border regions (AAMR 5.31) compared to nonborder regions (AAMR 4.86).
• Mortality rates remained stable in border regions but significantly increased in nonborder regions from 1999-2005.
• Hispanic populations in border regions showed higher ILD mortality than their nonborder counterparts.

Conclusions:

• Significant ILD-related mortality disparities exist along the US-MX border.
• Highlights the need for enhanced public health measures and equitable access to medical care.
• Targeted interventions are essential for vulnerable populations in these border regions.