Reduced Lung Cancer Mortality With Lower Atmospheric Pressure

BACKGROUND: Research has shown that higher altitude is associated with lower risk of lung cancer and improved survival among patients. The current study assessed the influence of county-level atmospheric pressure (a measure reflecting both altitude and temperature) on age-adjusted lung cancer mortality rates in the contiguous United States, with 2 forms of spatial regression. METHODS: Ordinary least squares regression and geographically weighted regression models were used to evaluate the impact of climate and other selected variables on lung cancer mortality, based on 2974 counties. RESULTS: Atmospheric pressure was significantly positively associated with lung cancer mortality, after controlling for sunlight, precipitation, PM2.5 (µg/m(3)), current smoker, and other selected variables. Positive county-level β coefficient estimates (P < .05) for atmospheric pressure were observed throughout the United States, higher in the eastern half of the country. CONCLUSION: The spatial regression models showed that atmospheric pressure is positively associated with age-adjusted lung cancer mortality rates, after controlling for other selected variables.