Cancer data from WCRS can inform health equity efforts
In response to requests from tribal health directors and others, the Wisconsin Cancer Reporting System has released new cancer incidence and mortality statistics for American Indian/Alaska Native residents in Wisconsin. Some key points:
- Overall, AI/AN men and women are 1.8 times as likely to die of lung cancer and 2.9 times as likely to die of liver cancer than their white counterparts.
- From 2010 to 2014, lung cancer was the leading cause of death for AI/AN men and women.
- Among AI/AN men, lung cancer incidence increased over the time periods examined, while colorectal cancer incidence decreased significantly.
- Among AI/AN women, both lung cancer and breast cancer incidence increased over the time periods examined. While cervical cancer incidence declined, the cervical cancer rate among AI/AN women was still twice that of white women.
The WCRS report is based on residence in Wisconsin’s thirty-two Contract Health Service Delivery Area (CHSDA) counties. CHSDA surveillance is a recommended method for addressing cancer health inequities within American Indian/Alaska Native populations. The WCRS hopes this data will contribute to new and existing efforts to achieve health equity in Wisconsin’s tribal communities. See the data: View the technical notes, and detailed incidence and mortality tables for one-, five-, and ten-year intervals on the WCRS website. Are you working to improve tribal health equity? If so, we invite you to share your workshop and speaker ideas during our Annual Summit planning webinar , May 2, from 10-11 am ( log-in details online ). The 2018 Summit, in Madison on Nov. 15, will explore the theme, Equity in Action: Dismantling Cancer Health Disparities in Wisconsin.