EFFECTS OF MEDICAL SERVICE AVAILABILITY ON CANCER MORTALITY IN VIRGINIA

The objective of this study was to compare cancer mortality rates in Virginia Medically Underserved Areas (VMUA) and non-underserved counties and cities. Percentages of VMUA with rising. falling and stable cancer mortality rates were compared to percentages of non-underserved areas with rising, falling and stable cancer mortality rates for all cancers and lung cancer. Data was obtained from the National Cancer Institute “State Cancer Profile”, the Virginia Department of Health, and the National Vital Statistics System. Underserved counties had a higher stable cancer mortality rate likelihood than non-underserved counties (60% vs 54%, respectively, p=0.00) and a lower falling cancer mortality rate likelihood than non-underserved counties 40% vs. 31%, respectively, p=0.00). For lung cancers in underserved counties cancer mortality rate likelihood (75%) did not significantly differ from non-underserved counties (54%). Lastly underserved counties had a 24% lower falling cancer mortality rate likelihood than non-underserved counties (29% vs. 5%, p=0.00). To conclude, for all cancers living in a VMUA increases the likelihood of having a stable cancer mortality rate and decreases the likelihood of having a falling cancer mortality rate in comparison with living in a non-underserved area of Virginia but this finding was not the same for lung cancer mortality where place of residence did not significantly differ for those living in a VMUA compared to those living in a non-underserved area in Virginia.

Funding source: “This study was sponsored by the Appalachian Research Initiative for Environmental Science (ARIES). ARIES is an industrial affiliates program at Virginia Tech, supported by members that include companies in the energy sector. The research under ARIES is conducted by independent researchers in accordance with the policies on scientific integrity of their institutions. The views, opinions and recommendations expressed herein are solely those of the authors and do not imply any endorsement by ARIES employees, other ARIES-affiliated researchers or industrial members. Information about ARIES can be found at http://www.energy.vt.edu/ARIES.”