Home > Geography, Earth Sciences > Vol 1 No 1 June 2013 Abstract 5
Land Elevation, Air Temperature, and Cancer Mortality for selected U.S. Cities
John Hart, DC, MHSc
Journal of Geography and Earth Science, 1(1), 39-44.

Abstract
Introduction: The present study seeks to verify previous research on the association between land elevation, air temperature, and cancer mortality. Methods: Age-adjusted cancer rates (per 100,000 persons) in 2008 were compared to: a) mean monthly temperatures in 2008 and b) land elevations for selected cities in the United States having available cancer mortality data. Individual regression models were performed for each predictor and R-squared values were compared. Results: Temperature predicted approximately 10% of the cancer rate variation, which was not quite statistically significant (p = 0.097). Land elevation predicted approximately 40% of the cancer rate variation, and this was statistically significant (p < 0.001). The statistically significant predictor, land elevation, showed a regression coefficient of -0.006 (95% confidence interval = -0.01 to -0.002). This indicates that for every 1000 feet increase of land elevation, an average of six fewer deaths per 100,000 persons is predicted (95% CI = 2 to 10 fewer deaths per 100,000 persons). Conclusion: The findings of this ecological study are consistent with previous research showing lower cancer mortality in higher land elevations. Further research with other years will contribute to the evidence base for this relationship.

Full Text: PDF

Hart, John (2013). Land Elevation, Air Temperature, and Cancer Mortality for selected U.S. Cities. Journal of Geography and Earth Science, 1(1), 39-44

Basovich, SN.(2013). Trends in the use of preconditioning to hypoxia for early prevention of future life diseases. BioScience Trends, 7(1), 23-32.

Brenner, B., Cheng, D., Clark, S., Camargo, CA.(2011). Positive association between altitude and suicide in 2584 U.S. counties. High Alt Med Biol, 12(1), 31-35.

CDC Wonder. United States Cancer Statistics, 1999-2009 Mortality Results. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.(2013). [Cited 2013 Dec 3]. Available from: www.wonder.cdc.gov

Curriero, F., Heiner, K.S., Samet, J.M., Zeger, S.L., Strug, L., Patz, J.A.(2002).Temperature and mortality in 11 cities of the eastern United States. Am J Epidemiol,155, 80-87.

Faeh, D., Gutzwiller, F., Bopp, M. (2009).Lower mortality from coronary heart disease at higher altitudes in Switzerland. Circulation, 120, 495-501.

Hart, J. (2013). Land elevation and cancer mortality in U.S. cities and counties using median elevations derived from geographic information systems. Dose-Response, 11(1), 41-48.

Health Physics Society: Doses from Medical X‐Ray Procedures. (2013). [Cited 2013 Dec 4]. Available at: http://hps.org/physicians/documents/Doses_from_Medical_X-Ray_Procedures.pdf

Jagger, J.(1998).Natural background radiation and cancer death in Rocky Mountain States and Gulf Coast states.Health Phys, 75(4), 428-430.

McGeehin, M.A., Mirabelli, M. (2001).The potential impacts of climate variability and change on temperature-related morbidity and mortality in the United States. Environ Health Perspect, 109, 185-189 [suppl 2].

Peacock, A.J. (1998).Oxygen at high altitude. Brit Med J, 317(7165), 1063-1066. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency: Calculate your radiation dose. 2013a. [Cited 2013 Nov 28]. Available at: www.epa.gov

U.S. Department of Energy: Low dose radiation research program. 2013b. Background radiation. [Cited 2013 Dec 9]. Available at: http://lowdose.energy.gov/pdf/Powerpoint_Background.pdf

Weather-Warehouse: Historical monthly weather data. [Cited 2013 Dec 7]. Available at: www.weatherwarehouse. com

West, JB. (2004).The physiological basis of high altitude diseases. Ann Intern Med, 141, 789-800.

Youk, A.O., Cuchanich, J.M., Fryzek, J., Cunningham, M., Marsh, G.M. (2012). An ecological study of cancer mortality rates in high altitudes counties of the United States. High Alt Med Biol, 13(2), 98-104.

John Hart, DC, MHSc
Assistant Director of Research
Sherman College of Chiropractic
Spartanburg, SC 29304