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

Why it matters locally: Maine's rural population, which comprises a significant portion of the state's 1.4 million residents, may face particular health disparities based on CDC findings showing slower cancer mortality improvements in rural regions compared to urban areas.

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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.