Objective: Despite progress to reduce the burden of tobacco, disparities in tobacco-related morbidity and mortality remain. This research examines trends in lung cancer incidence rates by race and by gender within race during 2001-2010 in Oklahoma.
Methods: Incident cases of lung cancer were obtained from the Oklahoma State Department of Health public use database. Cases were linked to the Indian Health Service database to reduce misclassification of American Indian race. Annual percent change (APC) was estimated by race and by gender within race to describe rates over time. Rates were considered to increase or decrease if the p-value for trend was < 0.05.
Results: Average lung cancer incidence rates were highest among American Indians (105.52 per 100,000) and lowest among whites (78.64 per 100,000). Lung cancer incidence rates declined among the overall white (APC: -2.17%; p = 0.001) and African American (APC: -2.95%; p = 0.003) populations, as well as white (APC: -3.02%; p < .001) and African American males (APC: -3.39%; p = 0.007). Rates increased among American Indian females (APC: 2.20%; p = 0.03).
Conclusion: Analysis of lung cancer incidence data reveals an inequality in tobacco-related morbidity among American Indians, especially American Indian females. This research suggests a need for more evidence-based tobacco control interventions within the American Indian population.