Geographic Distribution of Lung and Bronchus Cancer Mortality and Elevation in the United States: Exploratory Spatial Data Analysis and Spatial Statistics

Lung and bronchus cancer, collectively called lung cancer, remains one of the most lethal malignancies worldwide, with its incidence and mortality rates continuing to pose significant public health challenges. Numerous studies have explored various risk factors for lung cancer, including smoking, en...

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Main Author: Hoehun Ha
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-03-01
Series:ISPRS International Journal of Geo-Information
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2220-9964/14/4/141
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author Hoehun Ha
author_facet Hoehun Ha
author_sort Hoehun Ha
collection DOAJ
description Lung and bronchus cancer, collectively called lung cancer, remains one of the most lethal malignancies worldwide, with its incidence and mortality rates continuing to pose significant public health challenges. Numerous studies have explored various risk factors for lung cancer, including smoking, environmental pollutants, genetic predispositions, and occupational hazards. However, emerging research suggests that elevation above sea level may also influence lung and bronchus cancer prevalence and outcomes. We analyzed elevation data for 2662 contiguous U.S. counties to determine if there is a significant relationship between lung cancer and elevation. Moreover, we employed hierarchical multiple regression and a complex sample general linear model (CSGLM) to enhance the understanding of the factors influencing lung and bronchus cancer, with a particular focus on elevation. Using Local Moran’s I cluster analysis, we identified statistically significant hot spots and cold spots for the mortality rate related to lung cancer. In the hierarchical regression model, a significant correlation between lung cancer and elevation remained evident. This suggests that the risk of mortality from lung and bronchus cancer increases with decreasing elevation (<i>R</i><sup>2</sup> = 0.601). Furthermore, within the CSGLM framework, an <i>R</i><sup>2</sup> value of 0.763 highlighted a strong link between lung cancer mortality and elevation. This relationship remained significant even after accounting for complex sample designs and applying weight adjustments. This geographic correlation has not been documented in previous studies. Further research is necessary to elucidate the precise mechanisms through which elevation influences lung cancer biology.
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spelling doaj-art-8140ffcaa37a467c8d5cf22681f664ab2025-08-20T02:18:16ZengMDPI AGISPRS International Journal of Geo-Information2220-99642025-03-0114414110.3390/ijgi14040141Geographic Distribution of Lung and Bronchus Cancer Mortality and Elevation in the United States: Exploratory Spatial Data Analysis and Spatial StatisticsHoehun Ha0Department of Biology and Environmental Science, Auburn University at Montgomery, 7061 Senators Drive, Montgomery, AL 36117, USALung and bronchus cancer, collectively called lung cancer, remains one of the most lethal malignancies worldwide, with its incidence and mortality rates continuing to pose significant public health challenges. Numerous studies have explored various risk factors for lung cancer, including smoking, environmental pollutants, genetic predispositions, and occupational hazards. However, emerging research suggests that elevation above sea level may also influence lung and bronchus cancer prevalence and outcomes. We analyzed elevation data for 2662 contiguous U.S. counties to determine if there is a significant relationship between lung cancer and elevation. Moreover, we employed hierarchical multiple regression and a complex sample general linear model (CSGLM) to enhance the understanding of the factors influencing lung and bronchus cancer, with a particular focus on elevation. Using Local Moran’s I cluster analysis, we identified statistically significant hot spots and cold spots for the mortality rate related to lung cancer. In the hierarchical regression model, a significant correlation between lung cancer and elevation remained evident. This suggests that the risk of mortality from lung and bronchus cancer increases with decreasing elevation (<i>R</i><sup>2</sup> = 0.601). Furthermore, within the CSGLM framework, an <i>R</i><sup>2</sup> value of 0.763 highlighted a strong link between lung cancer mortality and elevation. This relationship remained significant even after accounting for complex sample designs and applying weight adjustments. This geographic correlation has not been documented in previous studies. Further research is necessary to elucidate the precise mechanisms through which elevation influences lung cancer biology.https://www.mdpi.com/2220-9964/14/4/141lung and bronchus cancer mortality rateelevationcluster analysiscomplex sample general linear model (CSGLM)
spellingShingle Hoehun Ha
Geographic Distribution of Lung and Bronchus Cancer Mortality and Elevation in the United States: Exploratory Spatial Data Analysis and Spatial Statistics
ISPRS International Journal of Geo-Information
lung and bronchus cancer mortality rate
elevation
cluster analysis
complex sample general linear model (CSGLM)
title Geographic Distribution of Lung and Bronchus Cancer Mortality and Elevation in the United States: Exploratory Spatial Data Analysis and Spatial Statistics
title_full Geographic Distribution of Lung and Bronchus Cancer Mortality and Elevation in the United States: Exploratory Spatial Data Analysis and Spatial Statistics
title_fullStr Geographic Distribution of Lung and Bronchus Cancer Mortality and Elevation in the United States: Exploratory Spatial Data Analysis and Spatial Statistics
title_full_unstemmed Geographic Distribution of Lung and Bronchus Cancer Mortality and Elevation in the United States: Exploratory Spatial Data Analysis and Spatial Statistics
title_short Geographic Distribution of Lung and Bronchus Cancer Mortality and Elevation in the United States: Exploratory Spatial Data Analysis and Spatial Statistics
title_sort geographic distribution of lung and bronchus cancer mortality and elevation in the united states exploratory spatial data analysis and spatial statistics
topic lung and bronchus cancer mortality rate
elevation
cluster analysis
complex sample general linear model (CSGLM)
url https://www.mdpi.com/2220-9964/14/4/141
work_keys_str_mv AT hoehunha geographicdistributionoflungandbronchuscancermortalityandelevationintheunitedstatesexploratoryspatialdataanalysisandspatialstatistics