Interpretation of Rate/Trend Comparison by Cancer Data
Death Rate/Trend Comparison by Cancer, 2016-2020
Maryland Counties versus United States
All Cancer Sites
All Races, Both Sexes
Sorted by priority index
Explanation of Column HeadersState/County - The site and sex combination for this comparison.
Priority Index 1 - The priority index is based upon the direction of the trend and the rate comparison. An index of 1 is the highest priority - that trend is rising and the rate is already higher. An index of 9 is the lowest priority - the trend is falling and the rate is already lower.
Recent Trends - This is an interpretation of the AAPC:
- Rising when 95% confidence interval of average annual percent change is above 0.
- Stable when 95% confidence interval of average annual percent change includes 0.
- Falling when 95% confidence interval of average annual percent change is below 0.
AAPC (95% Confidence Interval) - The Average Annual Percent Change is the change in rate over time. These AAPCs are based upon APCs that were calculated by Joinpoint Regression Program
Other Notes
- Larger confidence intervals indicate less stability of the data. This is often due to low counts that are not quite low enough to be suppressed.
- Data is currently being suppressed if there are fewer than 16 counts for the time period.
Line by Line Interpretation of the Report
United States
- Recent Trend(2) : The trend is falling because the trend is -2.0 with a 95% confidence interval from -2.2 to -1.8.
- Rate : The death rate is 149.4 with a 95% confidence interval from 149.3 to 149.6 and 599,666 average annual deaths.
Maryland
- Recent Trend(2) : The trend is falling because the trend is -1.9 with a 95% confidence interval from -2.0 to -1.8.
- Rate : The death rate is 148.9 with a 95% confidence interval from 147.6 to 150.1 and 10,835 average annual deaths.
Baltimore City
- Priority Index(1) : The priority index is 5.
- Recent Trend(2) : The trend is falling because the trend is -1.7 with a 95% confidence interval from -1.9 to -1.5.
- County Death Rate Compared to US Rate : This death rate is higher compared to the US rate
- Rate : The death rate is 191.3 with a 95% confidence interval from 186.6 to 196.2 and 1,287 average annual deaths.
- Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 1.3
Calvert County
- Priority Index(1) : The priority index is 5.
- Recent Trend(2) : The trend is falling because the trend is -1.5 with a 95% confidence interval from -2.0 to -1.1.
- County Death Rate Compared to US Rate : This death rate is higher compared to the US rate
- Rate : The death rate is 166.2 with a 95% confidence interval from 155.3 to 177.7 and 183 average annual deaths.
- Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 1.1
Caroline County
- Priority Index(1) : The priority index is 5.
- Recent Trend(2) : The trend is falling because the trend is -1.5 with a 95% confidence interval from -2.0 to -1.0.
- County Death Rate Compared to US Rate : This death rate is higher compared to the US rate
- Rate : The death rate is 175.0 with a 95% confidence interval from 157.5 to 194.1 and 75 average annual deaths.
- Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 1.2
Cecil County
- Priority Index(1) : The priority index is 5.
- Recent Trend(2) : The trend is falling because the trend is -1.6 with a 95% confidence interval from -1.9 to -1.2.
- County Death Rate Compared to US Rate : This death rate is higher compared to the US rate
- Rate : The death rate is 179.4 with a 95% confidence interval from 168.8 to 190.6 and 225 average annual deaths.
- Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 1.2
Dorchester County
- Priority Index(1) : The priority index is 5.
- Recent Trend(2) : The trend is falling because the trend is -1.6 with a 95% confidence interval from -2.0 to -1.2.
- County Death Rate Compared to US Rate : This death rate is higher compared to the US rate
- Rate : The death rate is 182.2 with a 95% confidence interval from 165.2 to 200.7 and 91 average annual deaths.
- Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 1.2
Somerset County
- Priority Index(1) : The priority index is 5.
- Recent Trend(2) : The trend is falling because the trend is -1.7 with a 95% confidence interval from -2.2 to -1.2.
- County Death Rate Compared to US Rate : This death rate is higher compared to the US rate
- Rate : The death rate is 186.5 with a 95% confidence interval from 165.7 to 209.3 and 61 average annual deaths.
- Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 1.2
St. Marys County
- Priority Index(1) : The priority index is 5.
- Recent Trend(2) : The trend is falling because the trend is -1.1 with a 95% confidence interval from -1.5 to -0.8.
- County Death Rate Compared to US Rate : This death rate is higher compared to the US rate
- Rate : The death rate is 164.7 with a 95% confidence interval from 154.4 to 175.5 and 198 average annual deaths.
- Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 1.1
Wicomico County
- Priority Index(1) : The priority index is 5.
- Recent Trend(2) : The trend is falling because the trend is -1.2 with a 95% confidence interval from -1.6 to -0.8.
- County Death Rate Compared to US Rate : This death rate is higher compared to the US rate
- Rate : The death rate is 186.6 with a 95% confidence interval from 175.8 to 197.9 and 231 average annual deaths.
- Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 1.2
Garrett County
- Priority Index(1) : The priority index is 7.
- Recent Trend(2) : The trend is stable because the trend is -11.4 with a 95% confidence interval from -24.8 to 4.4.
- County Death Rate Compared to US Rate : This death rate is lower compared to the US rate
- Rate : The death rate is 123.7 with a 95% confidence interval from 109.7 to 139.4 and 60 average annual deaths.
- Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 0.8
Allegany County
- Priority Index(1) : The priority index is 8.
- Recent Trend(2) : The trend is falling because the trend is -1.1 with a 95% confidence interval from -1.4 to -0.8.
- County Death Rate Compared to US Rate : This death rate is similar compared to the US rate
- Rate : The death rate is 159.8 with a 95% confidence interval from 149.0 to 171.2 and 172 average annual deaths.
- Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 1.1
Anne Arundel County
- Priority Index(1) : The priority index is 8.
- Recent Trend(2) : The trend is falling because the trend is -2.3 with a 95% confidence interval from -2.8 to -1.8.
- County Death Rate Compared to US Rate : This death rate is similar compared to the US rate
- Rate : The death rate is 149.6 with a 95% confidence interval from 145.4 to 153.9 and 997 average annual deaths.
- Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 1.0
Baltimore County
- Priority Index(1) : The priority index is 8.
- Recent Trend(2) : The trend is falling because the trend is -1.5 with a 95% confidence interval from -1.7 to -1.3.
- County Death Rate Compared to US Rate : This death rate is similar compared to the US rate
- Rate : The death rate is 161.5 with a 95% confidence interval from 158.1 to 165.0 and 1,785 average annual deaths.
- Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 1.1
Carroll County
- Priority Index(1) : The priority index is 8.
- Recent Trend(2) : The trend is falling because the trend is -1.5 with a 95% confidence interval from -1.8 to -1.3.
- County Death Rate Compared to US Rate : This death rate is similar compared to the US rate
- Rate : The death rate is 152.7 with a 95% confidence interval from 145.3 to 160.4 and 335 average annual deaths.
- Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 1.0
Charles County
- Priority Index(1) : The priority index is 8.
- Recent Trend(2) : The trend is falling because the trend is -1.8 with a 95% confidence interval from -2.2 to -1.5.
- County Death Rate Compared to US Rate : This death rate is similar compared to the US rate
- Rate : The death rate is 157.8 with a 95% confidence interval from 149.1 to 166.8 and 262 average annual deaths.
- Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 1.1
Frederick County
- Priority Index(1) : The priority index is 8.
- Recent Trend(2) : The trend is falling because the trend is -1.6 with a 95% confidence interval from -1.9 to -1.4.
- County Death Rate Compared to US Rate : This death rate is similar compared to the US rate
- Rate : The death rate is 139.0 with a 95% confidence interval from 133.0 to 145.3 and 410 average annual deaths.
- Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 0.9
Harford County
- Priority Index(1) : The priority index is 8.
- Recent Trend(2) : The trend is falling because the trend is -1.5 with a 95% confidence interval from -1.6 to -1.3.
- County Death Rate Compared to US Rate : This death rate is similar compared to the US rate
- Rate : The death rate is 155.7 with a 95% confidence interval from 149.5 to 162.1 and 494 average annual deaths.
- Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 1.0
Kent County
- Priority Index(1) : The priority index is 8.
- Recent Trend(2) : The trend is falling because the trend is -2.1 with a 95% confidence interval from -2.7 to -1.5.
- County Death Rate Compared to US Rate : This death rate is similar compared to the US rate
- Rate : The death rate is 139.5 with a 95% confidence interval from 122.5 to 158.9 and 52 average annual deaths.
- Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 0.9
Prince Georges County
- Priority Index(1) : The priority index is 8.
- Recent Trend(2) : The trend is falling because the trend is -2.2 with a 95% confidence interval from -2.3 to -2.0.
- County Death Rate Compared to US Rate : This death rate is similar compared to the US rate
- Rate : The death rate is 147.4 with a 95% confidence interval from 143.9 to 151.0 and 1,409 average annual deaths.
- Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 1.0
Queen Annes County
- Priority Index(1) : The priority index is 8.
- Recent Trend(2) : The trend is falling because the trend is -1.7 with a 95% confidence interval from -2.2 to -1.2.
- County Death Rate Compared to US Rate : This death rate is similar compared to the US rate
- Rate : The death rate is 142.9 with a 95% confidence interval from 130.5 to 156.3 and 102 average annual deaths.
- Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 1.0
Washington County
- Priority Index(1) : The priority index is 8.
- Recent Trend(2) : The trend is falling because the trend is -1.2 with a 95% confidence interval from -1.4 to -1.0.
- County Death Rate Compared to US Rate : This death rate is similar compared to the US rate
- Rate : The death rate is 161.7 with a 95% confidence interval from 153.8 to 170.0 and 324 average annual deaths.
- Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 1.1
Worcester County
- Priority Index(1) : The priority index is 8.
- Recent Trend(2) : The trend is falling because the trend is -1.6 with a 95% confidence interval from -1.8 to -1.3.
- County Death Rate Compared to US Rate : This death rate is similar compared to the US rate
- Rate : The death rate is 152.5 with a 95% confidence interval from 141.2 to 164.7 and 153 average annual deaths.
- Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 1.0
Howard County
- Priority Index(1) : The priority index is 9.
- Recent Trend(2) : The trend is falling because the trend is -2.3 with a 95% confidence interval from -2.6 to -2.1.
- County Death Rate Compared to US Rate : This death rate is lower compared to the US rate
- Rate : The death rate is 115.2 with a 95% confidence interval from 110.1 to 120.5 and 397 average annual deaths.
- Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 0.8
Montgomery County
- Priority Index(1) : The priority index is 9.
- Recent Trend(2) : The trend is falling because the trend is -1.9 with a 95% confidence interval from -2.1 to -1.7.
- County Death Rate Compared to US Rate : This death rate is lower compared to the US rate
- Rate : The death rate is 111.8 with a 95% confidence interval from 109.2 to 114.5 and 1,435 average annual deaths.
- Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 0.7
Talbot County
- Priority Index(1) : The priority index is 9.
- Recent Trend(2) : The trend is falling because the trend is -1.8 with a 95% confidence interval from -2.2 to -1.3.
- County Death Rate Compared to US Rate : This death rate is lower compared to the US rate
- Rate : The death rate is 123.9 with a 95% confidence interval from 112.5 to 136.6 and 97 average annual deaths.
- Rate Ratio(3) County to US : The rate ratio is 0.8
Notes:
Created by statecancerprofiles.cancer.gov on 05/07/2024 7:07 am.
Rising when 95% confidence interval of average annual percent change is above 0.
Stable when 95% confidence interval of average annual percent change includes 0.
Falling when 95% confidence interval of average annual percent change is below 0.
Rate Comparison
Above when 95% confident the rate is above and Rate Ratio3 > 1.10
Similar when unable to conclude above or below with confidence.
Below when 95% confident the rate is below and Rate Ratio3 < 0.90
1 Priority indices were created by ordering from rates that are rising and above the comparison rate to rates that are falling and below the comparison rate.
2 Recent trend in death rates is usually an Average Annual Percent Change (AAPC) based on the APCs calculated by Joinpoint Version 4.8.0.0. Due to data availability issues, the time period and/or calculation method used in the calculation of the trends may differ for selected geographic areas.
3 Rate ratio is the county rate divided by the US rate. Previous versions of this table used one-year rates for states and five-year rates for counties. As of June 2018, only five-year rates are used.
Source: Death data provided by the National Vital Statistics System public use data file. Death rates calculated by the National Cancer Institute using SEER*Stat. Death rates are age-adjusted to the 2000 US standard population (19 age groups: <1, 1-4, 5-9, ... , 80-84, 85+). The Healthy People 2020 goals are based on rates adjusted using different methods but the differences should be minimal. Population counts for denominators are based on Census populations as modified by NCI. The US Population Data File is used with mortality data.
Note: When the population size for a denominator is small, the rates may be unstable. A rate is unstable when a small change in the numerator (e.g., only one or two additional cases) has a dramatic effect on the calculated rate. Suppression is used to avoid misinterpretation when rates are unstable.
State Cancer Registries may provide more current or more local data. Data presented on the State Cancer Profiles Web Site may differ from statistics reported by the State Cancer Registries (for more information).
Interpret Rankings provides insight into interpreting cancer statistics. When the population size for a denominator is small, the rates may be unstable. A rate is unstable when a small change in the numerator (e.g., only one or two additional cases) has a dramatic effect on the calculated rate.
Data for United States does not include Puerto Rico.