A Geospatial Analysis of Factors Affecting Access to CT Facilities: Implications for Lung Cancer Screening.

OBJECTIVE: The association between access to CT facilities for lung cancer screening and population characteristics is understudied. We aimed to determine the relationship between census tract-level socioeconomic characteristics (SEC) and driving distance to an ACR-accredited CT facility. METHODS: Census tract-level SEC were determined from the US Census Bureau. Distance to nearest ACR-accredited CT facility was derived at the census tract level. Census tract-level multivariable regression modeling was used to determine the relationship between driving distance to a CT facility and census tract SEC, including population density (a marker of rural versus urban), gender, race, insurance status or type, and education level. RESULTS: In an adjusted multivariable model, census tract-level population density was the greatest relative determinant of distance to a CT facility. Namely, rural census tracts had relatively longer distances to CT facilities than urban census tracts (P < .001). Census tracts with higher uninsured, Medicaid, undereducated (less

Duke Scholars

Author Tina Dinesh Tailor Radiology, Cardiothoracic Imaging

Author Betty Caroline Tong Surgery, Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery

Author Geoffrey D Rubin Radiology