Date of Conferral

2023

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Public Health

Advisor

Zin Htway

Abstract

Breast cancer is a public health problem in the United States that impacts diverse ethnic female groups in different ways regarding incidence and mortality. Much is known about the factors increasing the risk of developing breast cancer, but little is known about those that increase the chances of dying from it, other than access to health care, screening, and appropriate treatment. This study aimed to understand the association between exposure to Environmental Protection Agency-regulated air pollutants and breast cancer mortality, including how the interaction between these air contaminants impacts the outcome of interest, considering median income, education level, and percentage of White women. The ecosocial theory and probabilistic epigenesis guided the study. These theories explain the disease development concerning the historical exposure of individuals to their environment. An ecological study design was conducted, using secondary data from the Outdoor Air Quality Data, the U.S. Cancer Statistics Data Visualizations Tool, and the U.S. Census Bureau. The results of the regression analyses indicated that particulate matter2.5, a type of inhalable particulate of less than 2.5µm; percent of adults with less than a high school diploma; and percentage of White women were statistically associated with age-adjusted breast cancer mortality. Implications for positive social change including a better understanding of the predictors of breast cancer will serve public health policymakers and government officials to make evidence-based decisions and enact rules and laws aimed at controlling air pollution.

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