Lung Cancer Rates

Lung cancer claims more lives in the United States than any other type of cancer. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death and second most diagnosed cancer in men and women in the United States (CDC, 2014). Cigarette smoking is considered the number one cause of lung cancer (CDC, 2014). The rise and fall of cigarette smoking in the United States has greatly impacted the direction we see lung cancer rates moving in. Lung cancer mortality rates disproportionately affect populations based on their race and ethnicity. Among male populations, African American men were more likely to die of lung cancer than any other group (CDC, 2015). Although mortality rates have been …show more content…
Compared to the overall population, African American males are more like attain fewer years of education (Albano, Ward & Jemal, 2007). Some of the reasons this population acquires fewer years of education start at a younger age. Many are forced to go into the workforce at a younger age due to family hardships. Lower quality schools that serve the communities African American males live in typically do not have many students moving on to higher education. Educational attainment is a factor that directly impacts an individual’s Socio-economic status (SES). More years of school typically lead to higher potential for a better paying job with employee benefits. African American males tend to work in lower paying jobs. Compared to the overall population, African American males are more likely to have a lower SES (NCBI.gov). A low socio-economic status includes low income, low education, occupation and social position in regards to others. These factors play a role in the big picture, which drives the system that perpetuates the inequity in African American …show more content…
Looking at the big picture, higher-level determinants such as insurance, proximity of treatment services, and lack of employment opportunities are directly affected by the system in our society. Policies such as employee-sponsored health insurance are only being offered in specific jobs or only required when employed up to so many hours a week. It’s easy for employers to save money by not having to offer benefits such as health insurance. Proximity of treatment services is driven by a system of financial incentives. Big health care systems are going to buy property and land in areas that will compensate by bringing in those who can afford health