Document Type

Capstone Experience

Graduation Date

8-2019

Degree Name

Master of Public Health

Department

Epidemiology

First Committee Member

Evi Farazi, PhD

Second Committee Member

Ashley Wysong, MD, MS

Third Committee Member

Hongying Dai, PhD

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to determine incidence and mortality of melanoma across all counties in Nebraska in the context of access to primary care providers and dermatologists. Crude and age-adjusted incidence rates of melanoma from 2001-2016 by county were calculated for the following year intervals: 2001-2005, 2006-2010, 2011-2016. Variables for melanoma cases were obtained from the Nebraska Cancer Registry and included the case’s zip code at diagnosis, race, ethnicity, sex, age at diagnosis, year, cancer site, vital status, stage of disease, and the ICD-O code for the cancer type. Crude and age-adjusted mortality rates were calculated for the year intervals 2001-2005, 2006-2010, and 2011-2016 by county using the 2000 US standard population. The variables on the number of primary care providers and address of practice were obtained from the University of Nebraska, College of Public Health, Health Professions Tracking Service. The number of primary care providers/dermatologist to population ratios were determined for each county for the year 2016. Shortage areas for primary care providers/dermatologists were determined by calculating the ratio of primary care providers/dermatologists for each county in Nebraska. The results of this study will guide the UNMC Dermatology Department as to which counties in Nebraska to focus on with regard to its melanoma skin cancer prevention efforts in Nebraska and help guide its telemedicine program in Nebraska.

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