Estimating Mortality Rates of Digestive Tract Cancers in Appalachia
Abstract
Rural areas often experience higher incidence and mortality of colorectal cancer and face disparities in preventative and cancer care. Previous research has found that the Appalachian region has a general cancer mortality rate that is greater than the rest of the nation. There is limited up-to-date information on digestive tract cancer mortality rates in Appalachia. The purpose of this study is to describe digestive tract cancer mortality rates in Appalachia from 2018-2022. This study used data obtained from the CDC WONDER database and the Appalachian Regional Commission. The sample included 1,098 counties across 13 states with non-suppressed or censored mortality rates. Analyses included means, medians, ranges, and standard deviations of digestive tract cancer mortality per 100,000. T-tests were conducted to estimate the difference in means of Appalachian compared to non-Appalachian counties overall and within each test and of economic status in Appalachian counties and in all counties in states with any Appalachian counties. The findings of this study show that there are increased mortality rates of digestive tract cancers in Appalachian counties compared to non-Appalachian counties (64.7 per 100,000 vs 59.8 per 100,000, respectively, p= <0.001). Within subregions, the North Central subregion of Appalachia was found to have the highest digestive tract cancer mortality rate. Future research to examine the risk factors and health disparities associated with digestive tract cancers in areas with significantly increased mortality rates is warranted.
Start Time
15-4-2026 2:30 PM
End Time
15-4-2026 3:30 PM
Room Number
304
Presentation Type
Oral Presentation
Presentation Subtype
Grad/Comp Orals
Presentation Category
Health
Student Type
Graduate
Faculty Mentor
Casey Balio
Estimating Mortality Rates of Digestive Tract Cancers in Appalachia
304
Rural areas often experience higher incidence and mortality of colorectal cancer and face disparities in preventative and cancer care. Previous research has found that the Appalachian region has a general cancer mortality rate that is greater than the rest of the nation. There is limited up-to-date information on digestive tract cancer mortality rates in Appalachia. The purpose of this study is to describe digestive tract cancer mortality rates in Appalachia from 2018-2022. This study used data obtained from the CDC WONDER database and the Appalachian Regional Commission. The sample included 1,098 counties across 13 states with non-suppressed or censored mortality rates. Analyses included means, medians, ranges, and standard deviations of digestive tract cancer mortality per 100,000. T-tests were conducted to estimate the difference in means of Appalachian compared to non-Appalachian counties overall and within each test and of economic status in Appalachian counties and in all counties in states with any Appalachian counties. The findings of this study show that there are increased mortality rates of digestive tract cancers in Appalachian counties compared to non-Appalachian counties (64.7 per 100,000 vs 59.8 per 100,000, respectively, p= <0.001). Within subregions, the North Central subregion of Appalachia was found to have the highest digestive tract cancer mortality rate. Future research to examine the risk factors and health disparities associated with digestive tract cancers in areas with significantly increased mortality rates is warranted.
