title: Prevalence and Mortality of Melanoma in Oklahoma Among Racial Groups, 2000-2008.
abstract: This study assessed the period prevalence (2000-2008) and mortality rates of melanoma, in Oklahoma, among different racial/ethnic strata.
  
  
  
  We analyzed incident cases of melanoma from 2000-2008 from the Oklahoma Central Cancer Registry and determined disease duration using Kaplan-Meier survival analysis to calculate period prevalence of melanoma in Oklahoma. Using a series of Chi-Square tests, we compared period prevalence and mortality rates among the racial groups and compared mortality between Oklahoma and the US.
  
  
  
  White non-Hispanics in Oklahoma have the highest period prevalence (p<0.0001) among the racial strata. American Indian or Alaska Native (AI/AN) individuals have the second highest period prevalence in Oklahoma (p<0.0001). Furthermore, white non-Hispanics (p<0.0001) and AI/AN individuals (p=0.0003) in Oklahoma had higher mortality rates compared to the US.
  
  
  
  There are disparities in the prevalence and mortality of melanoma among the AI/AN population in Oklahoma, and prevention and education programs should focus on this population.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, College of Public Health, University of Oklahoma.
authors.forename: Jonathan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Baldwin
authors.affiliation: Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, College of Public Health, University of Oklahoma.
authors.forename: Amanda E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Janitz
authors.affiliation: Oklahoma City Area Indian Health Service.
authors.forename: Julie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Erb-Alvarez
authors.affiliation: Oklahoma Area Tribal Epidemiology Center, Southern Plains Tribal Health Board.
authors.forename: Cuyler
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Snider
authors.affiliation: Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, College of Public Health, University of Oklahoma.
authors.forename: Janis E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Campbell
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000453:epidemiology*; D009825:Oklahoma / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D044469:Racial Groups / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012042:Registries; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology*