The Burden of Cancer in the United States: An Empirical Analysis

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the lung and bronchus cancer incidence rate, the lung and bronchus cancer mortality rate, economic growth, health expenditures, and environmental degradation using data from US states. Methods: In the study, the cointegration and causality relationships among the time series data were examined. The autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) bounds test was used to estimate the short- and long-term coefficients of the variables representing lung and bronchus cancer incidence bronchus and mortality rates, economic growth, health expenditures, and environmental degradation variables. The data used in the study cover the annual period from 1999 through 2020. Results: According to the ARDL bounds test results, economic growth and environmental degradation increased lung and bronchus cancer incidence mortality rates, while health expenditures reduced them. Causality tests indicated that economic growth unidirectionally affected lung and bronchus cancer incidence and mortality rates and environmental degradation. The results of other causality tests are presented in the conclusion section. Conclusion: Based on the findings, it is recommended to implement policies that reduce environmental degradation without hindering economic growth. By implementing such policies, cancer incidence and mortality rates may decrease, and at the same time, public welfare may increase. Policymakers should make decisions that advance both economic and human health objectives.