Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Illinois Lung Cancer Incidence, Mortality Stage at Diagnosis, Surgical Treatment, and Screening

Abstract

Objectives To determine the extent of lung cancer racial and ethnic disparities in Illinois.Methods We used census data to compute race and ethnic rate ratios for publicly available Illinois lung cancer registry and hospital admissions data comparing incidence, mortality, stage at diagnosis, medical admissions, surgical admissions, screening and smoking prevalence by race and ethnicity.Results Despite having a lower prevalence of smoking compared to non-Hispanic whites, non-Hispanic blacks had the highest lung cancer incidence, mortality, diagnosis at distant stage, and lung cancer related hospital admission rates, as well as a lower screening rate and fewer surgical admissions. Hispanics had lower rates of lung cancer incidence and hospital care but had a much higher rate of diagnosis at distant stage.Conclusions Non-Hispanic blacks in Illinois continue to have a disproportionate burden of lung cancer morbidity and mortality. Disparities in lung cancer outcomes appear to be driven by social determinants of health rather than smoking rates.

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