Mapping the gaps: a geospatial approach to equity in lung cancer screening

Inequalities based on socioeconomics, insurance status, and race have all been found to profoundly impact not only lung cancer screening but also care for patients following diagnosis (1,2). Greater efforts are needed to reduce lung cancer screening disparities based on patient demographics. Wilder et al. expand on this concept in their publication, “Geospatial analysis as a tool for identification of potential targetable regions for lung cancer screening interventions in Massachusetts” (3). The authors concluded that the proportion of Black residents in a zip code correlated with an increased rate of late-stage lung cancer diagnoses among young lung cancer patients (<55 years old). In their paper, the authors also found that regions with more Black residents correlated with an overall higher incidence of late-stage disease, lower educational background, and lower income within Massachusetts.

We applaud the efforts demonstrated by Wilder et al. (3), which highlighted the gap that currently exists in lung cancer screening efforts. It is important to not only recognize regional patterns, but also to embark upon an action plan to reduce currently existing disparities. Targeted efforts at lung cancer screening in these under-addressed populations may lead to earlier diagnoses and significant improvements in patient care. Of equal importance, we must emphasize the importance of community outreach efforts via mobile lung cancer screening clinics and durable relationships with community leaders, particularly in rural and underdeveloped areas (4).

Wilder et al. (3) raise awareness on an important topic not always discussed for lung cancer screening. Geospatial mapping is an excellent tool that can be used to augment efforts employed for lung cancer screening to identify key regions or zip codes that may have a higher rate of late-stage lung cancer. Using geospatial analysis, disparities in lung cancer screening can be addressed to improve outcomes for patients and provide earlier access to care.

We hope to emphasize the importance on improving current strategies for lung cancer screening efforts and appreciate the results presented by Wilder et al. (3), who highlight the use of geospatial analysis for thoracic surgeons to detect overall trends in lung cancer diagnosis to minimize disparities.

Acknowledgments

None.

Footnote

Provenance and Peer Review: This article was a standard submission to the journal. The article did not undergo external peer review.

Funding: None.

Conflicts of Interest: All authors have completed the ICMJE uniform disclosure form (available at https://jtd.amegroups.com/article/view/10.21037/jtd-2026-1-0347/coif). M.B.A. serves as an unpaid editorial board member of Journal of Thoracic Disease from August 2024 to July 2026. The authors have no other conflicts of interest to declare.

Ethical Statement: The authors are accountable for all aspects of the work in ensuring that questions related to the accuracy or integrity of any part of the work are appropriately investigated and resolved.

Open Access Statement: This is an Open Access article distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0), which permits the non-commercial replication and distribution of the article with the strict proviso that no changes or edits are made and the original work is properly cited (including links to both the formal publication through the relevant DOI and the license). See: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/.

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