title: Cancer and Obesity in Rhode Island.
abstract: There is growing evidence that obesity increases the risk of certain cancers and cancer mortality. As obesity rates are projected to rise over the next decade, associated cancer morbidity and mortality present a significant public health concern. This is particularly striking in the state of Rhode Island, where nearly a third of the population is obese. Interventions such as taxation of obesity-associated foods or insurance incentive programs promoting positive health behaviors could decrease obesity-associated cancer incidence and mortality over time. Public health programs could be deployed at both the local and national levels. We provide a background on obesity-related cancer, discuss existing evidence to support these ideas, and make recommendations regarding individual and societal factors when considering public policy, health-care delivery, taxation structure, and insurance.
authors.affiliation: Fellow, Brown University, Alpert Medical School, Department of Hematology Oncology, Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, RI.
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Pršić
authors.affiliation: Brown University, Alpert Medical School, 222 Richmond Street, Providence, RI.
authors.forename: Meeka
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gandhi
authors.affiliation: Brown University, Alpert Medical School, Department of Hematology Oncology, Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, RI.
authors.forename: Sophia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rizk
authors.affiliation: Brown University, Alpert Medical School, Department of Hematology Oncology, Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, RI.
authors.forename: Kenneth
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Bishop
authors.affiliation: Brown University, Alpert Medical School, 222 Richmond Street, Providence, RI.
authors.forename: Matthew
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Santos
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D063646:Carcinogenesis; D017046:Cost Savings; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000191:economics; D006291:Health Policy / Q000191:economics; D006801:Humans; D007348:Insurance, Health / Q000191:economics; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology*; D058991:Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act / Q000191:economics; D012237:Rhode Island / Q000453:epidemiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D013660:Taxes / Q000191:economics
keywords: Rhode Island; cancer; epidemiology; obesity; public health policy