Cancer Death Rate Declines Slower in Rural U.S. Than in Urban Areas

Why it matters locally: Iowa's substantial rural population may be particularly affected by this trend, as the state has significant rural counties where cancer death rates are declining at slower rates than urban centers.

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A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report documented variations in cancer death rates between rural and urban areas of the United States. The analysis showed that cancer death rates decreased at a slower pace in rural regions. Specifically, the report cited a 1.0 percent annual decrease in cancer deaths in rural areas versus a 1.6 percent annual decrease in urban areas. Researchers compared data for both regions to find these differences in mortality rates.