# Regional, demographic, and temporal trends in myeloid leukemia mortality in the United States (1999-2022): a comprehensive analysis using CDC WONDER

## TL;DR

This study analyzes trends in myeloid leukemia deaths in the U.S. from 1999 to 2022, revealing regional and demographic disparities.

## Contribution

The paper provides a comprehensive analysis of ML mortality trends, highlighting geographic and demographic disparities previously underexplored.

## Key findings

- The Midwest region showed a non-significant upward trend in ML mortality with consistently higher rates.
- Rural areas had higher age-adjusted mortality rates than urban areas.
- Males and White individuals had the highest mortality rates across all regions.

## Abstract

Myeloid Leukemias (ML) are neoplastic disorders characterized by the abnormal production of myeloid blood cells and disrupted hematopoiesis. Limited research exists on regional and demographic trends in ML mortality. This study investigates ML mortality patterns in the U.S. from 1999 to 2022, focusing on geographic and demographic disparities using age-adjusted mortality rates (AAMR) and average annual percent change (AAPC). Data were obtained from the CDC WONDER database, with AAMRs calculated per 100,000 people and stratified by region, state, urbanicity, sex, and race. AAPCs were computed using the National Cancer Institute’s (NCI) Joinpoint Regression Program (Joinpoint V 4.9.0.0, NCI). Between 1999 and 2022, there were 299,221 ML-related deaths nationwide. While most U.S. regions showed a non-significant downward trend in mortality, the Midwest demonstrated a non-significant upward trend and consistently higher AAMRs. States with the highest AAMRs included Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, and the Dakotas—predominantly rural states. Rural areas overall had higher AAMRs than urban areas. Males and White individuals had the highest mortality across all regions, with the Midwest showing the highest AAMRs for both sexes. Although ML mortality declined significantly from 1999 to 2007, it showed a non-significant increase from 2007 to 2022, despite therapeutic advancements. Persistent disparities—particularly among rural Midwestern populations, White patients, and males—highlight the need for targeted interventions and further research to address these geographic and demographic inequities.