Feature of esophageal cancer mortality in USA from 1999 to 2023: based on CDC WONDER database
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Background Esophageal cancer remains a highly lethal malignancy with substantial mortality burden in the United States. Previous studies struggle to track the latest demographic and regional characteristics of esophageal cancer. Therefore, updated data are urgently needed for disease control and develop health policies. Methods Data for this study were sourced from the CDC WONDER database. The study population included adults aged 25 years and older, stratified by sex, age group, race/ethnicity, census region, urban-rural, and state level. Joinpoint regression analysis was employed to examine the annual percentage changes (APCs) and average annual percentage changes (AAPCs) in mortality rates, with 95% confidence intervals calculated. Results A total of 357,606 esophageal cancer-related deaths were identified among U.S. residents from 1999 to 2023. The overall age-adjusted mortality rate (AAMR) exhibited a significant downward trend, decreasing from 6.74 per 100,000 in 1999 to 5.61 per 100,000 in 2023 (AAPC: -0.81). Non-Hispanic Black individuals experienced the largest decrease in AAMR, with other race experienced slighter decrease. Geographically, the Midwest had the highest AAMR in 2023, whereas the West had the lowest; non-metropolitan areas also had higher mortality than metropolitan areas. Age-specific trends showed that while mortality decreased in most groups, it remained stable or showed a slight increase among individuals aged 65–74 years in recent years. Conclusion Although the EC-related mortality in the United States has decreased in recent years, thanks to the optimization of public health policies and advancements in disease diagnosis and treatment. However, an increase in the number of deaths among most populations may be closely associated with population aging and the growing prevalence of high-risk factors such as obesity and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in the population. Meanwhile, the persistently high mortality rates among adults aged 65+, Non-Hispanic White, nonmetropolitan residents, and populations in the Midwest across different stratifications underscore that future prevention and control strategies should prioritize targeted interventions for these groups to promote health equity.
Source: Frontiers in Oncology
Institutions: Fudan University, Huadong Hospital
Language: English
Subfield: Surgery
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,801
OpenAlex ID: W7225654824