Late-Stage Melanoma in New York State: Associations with Socioeconomic Factors and Healthcare Access at the County Level

Abstract

A diagnosis of late-stage melanoma is associated with significant mortality. From a public health perspective, the knowledge of geographic disparities in late-stage diagnoses can inform efforts to facilitate the diagnosis of the earlier stage, highly curable melanomas. We conducted a county-level analysis of melanoma in New York state to identify communities that may benefit from pilot health interventions to reduce the burden of late-stage melanoma. From 1995 to 2016, late-stage melanoma incidence increased from 1.5 to 2.8 cases per 100,000 in New York state. We found statistically significant associations between decreased county-level health system access (including physician density and resident educational status) and increased county incidence and proportion of late-stage disease among diagnosed cases (P < 0.001 for both). Increased county-level socioeconomic status, including measures of resident wealth and medical insurance status, was positively associated with greater late-stage incidence (P < 0.001). However, decreased county-level socioeconomic status was positively associated with a greater proportion of late-stage disease among cases at diagnosis (P = 0.009). Counties with reduced access to physician services and lower socioeconomic status may be suitable for pilot interventions promoting the recognition and diagnosis of early-stage melanomas to reduce late-stage diagnoses and associated mortality.