Evaluating the intersection of climate vulnerability and cancer burden in North Carolina
Joyce Pak, Ngan Le, Eman Metwally, Jeanny H. Wang, Arrianna Marie Planey, Amy Lowman, Bradford E. Jackson, Eboneé N. Butler, Jennifer L. Lund
Abstract
Climate-related extreme weather events disrupt health-care systems and exacerbate health disparities, particularly affecting individuals diagnosed with cancer. This study explores the intersection of climate vulnerability and cancer burden in North Carolina (NC). Using county-level data from the US Climate Vulnerability Index (CVI) and the NC Department of Health and Human Services, we analyzed cancer incidence and mortality rates from 2017 to 2021. Our findings reveal a robust correlation between CVI percentiles and cancer mortality (r = 0.72). Counties with high area deprivation like Scotland, Robeson, and Halifax had the highest CVI percentiles of 0.68, 0.67, and 0.66, with respective cancer mortality rates of 193, 195, and 196 per 100 000 person-years. Correlations between CVI and cancer incidence were modest (r = 0.22). These results underscore the need for targeted public health interventions to mitigate climate-related health disparities. Future work could focus on exploring specific climate hazards and cancer outcomes to enhance preparedness and resilience in cancer care.