New Mexico
Fee-For-Service Medicaid Coverage of Screening
Not Available
Highlighted Disparity
Latinos in New Mexico are least likely to be diagnosed early.
Lung Cancer Rates
New Cases:
- The rate of new lung cancer cases is 37 and significantly lower than the national rate of 58.
- New Mexico ranks 2nd among all states, placing it in the top tier.
- Over the last five years, the rate of new cases improved by 20%.
5-Year Survival Rate:
- The percent of people alive five years after being diagnosed with lung cancer (the survival rate) in New Mexico is 21%, which is significantly lower than the national rate of 24%.
- It ranks 33rd among the 45 states with survival data, placing it in the below average tier.
- Over the last five years, the survival rate in New Mexico improved by 18%.
Early Diagnosis:
- 20% of cases are caught at an early stage, which is significantly lower than the national rate of 24%.
- It ranks 48th among the 49 states with data on diagnosis at an early stage, placing it in the bottom tier.
- Over the last five years, the early diagnosis rate in New Mexico improved by 28%.
Lung Cancer Treatment
Surgical Treatment:
- New Mexico ranked 49th (out of the 49 states with available data) with 13% of cases undergoing surgery as part of the first course of treatment.
- This is significantly lower than the national rate of 20.7% and puts New Mexico in the bottom tier.
- Over the last five years, the percent of cases undergoing surgery in New Mexico did not change significantly.
Lack of Treatment:
- New Mexico ranked 48th (out of the 49 states with available data) with 28% of cases not receiving any treatment.
- This is significantly higher than the national rate of 21% and puts New Mexico in the bottom tier.
- Over the last five years, the percent of cases receiving no treatment in New Mexico did not change significantly.
Screening
Screening for High Risk:
- In New Mexico, 2% of those at high risk were screened, which was significantly lower than the national rate of 6%.
- It ranks 47th among all states, placing it in the bottom tier.
Medicaid Coverage:
- New Mexico was one of the 3 states with no information available on whether their Medicaid fee-for-service programs covered lung cancer screening as of September 2021.
Prevention
Tobacco Use:
- The smoking rate in New Mexico is 16% and not significantly different than the national rate of 15%.
- It ranks 26th among all states, placing it in the average tier.
Radon:
- In New Mexico, 25% of radon tests results were at or above the action level recommended by EPA.
- It ranks 27th among all states, placing it in the average tier.
Racial & Ethnic Disparities
Black Americans:
- The rate of new lung cancer cases is 55 per 100,000 population among Black Americans in New Mexico, not significantly different than the rate of 60 among Black Americans nationally, and not significantly different than the rate of 44 among whites in New Mexico.
- The five-year survival rate is 28% among Black Americans in New Mexico, not significantly different than the rate of 21% among Black Americans nationally, and not significantly different than the rate of 21% among whites in New Mexico.
- 27% of lung cancer cases are diagnosed at an early stage among Black Americans in New Mexico, not significantly different than the rate of 21% among Black Americans nationally, and not significantly different than the rate of 21% among whites in New Mexico.
- 26% of Black Americans with lung cancer in New Mexico did not receive any treatment, not significantly different than the rate of 23% among Black Americans nationally, and not significantly different than the rate of 28% among whites in New Mexico.
- Other lung cancer rates are not available for Black Americans in New Mexico due to too few cases over the time period to allow for accurate analysis.
Latino Americans:
- The rate of new lung cancer cases is 30 per 100,000 population among Latinos in New Mexico, not significantly different than the rate of 29 among Latinos nationally, and significantly lower than the rate of 44 among whites in New Mexico.
- State-level survival rates are not available for Latino Americans at this time. Nationally, the five-year survival rate among Latino Americans is 19%, 13% lower than among white Americans.
- 18% of lung cancer cases are diagnosed at an early stage among Latinos in New Mexico, significantly lower than the rate of 22% among Latinos nationally, and significantly lower than the rate of 21% among whites in New Mexico.
- 12% of Latinos with lung cancer in New Mexico underwent surgery, significantly lower than the rate of 21% among Latinos nationally, and not significantly different than the rate of 14% among whites in New Mexico.
- 29% of Latinos with lung cancer in New Mexico did not receive any treatment, not significantly different than the rate of 26% among Latinos nationally, and not significantly different than the rate of 28% among whites in New Mexico.
Asian Americans or Pacific Islanders:
- The rate of new lung cancer cases is 32 per 100,000 population among Asian Americans or Pacific Islanders in New Mexico, not significantly different than the rate of 34 among Asian Americans or Pacific Islanders nationally, and significantly lower than the rate of 44 among whites in New Mexico.
- State-level survival rates are not available for Asian Americans or Pacific Islanders at this time. Nationally, the five-year survival rate among Asian Americans or Pacific Islanders is 23%, 8% higher than among white Americans.
- Other lung cancer rates are not available for Asian Americans or Pacific Islanders in New Mexico due to too few cases over the time period to allow for accurate analysis.
Indigenous Peoples:
- The rate of new lung cancer cases is 12 per 100,000 population among Indigenous Peoples (American Indians/Alaska Natives) in New Mexico, significantly lower than the rate of 41 among Indigenous Peoples nationally, and significantly lower than the rate of 44 among whites in New Mexico.
- State-level survival rates are not available for Indigenous Peoples at this time. Nationally, the five-year survival rate among Indigenous Peoples is 19%, 11% lower than among white Americans.
- 29% of Indigenous Peoples (American Indians/Alaska Natives) with lung cancer in New Mexico did not receive any treatment, not significantly different than the rate of 23% among Indigenous Peoples (American Indians/Alaska Natives) nationally, and not significantly different than the rate of 28% among whites in New Mexico.
- Other lung cancer rates are not available for Indigenous Peoples (American Indians/Alaska Natives) in New Mexico due to too few cases over the time period to allow for accurate analysis.
Summary
The early diagnosis rate in New Mexico falls into the bottom tier. The state still has a lot of work to do to make sure that more of those at high risk for lung cancer are screened.
The Lung Association encourages all states to cover lung cancer screening based on recommended guidelines across all fee-for-service and managed care plans without any financial or administrative barriers in their Medicaid programs.
It is alarming that New Mexico falls into the bottom tier for percent of patients not receiving any treatment. Some patients do refuse treatment, but issues such as fatalism and stigma can prevent eligible patients from accessing treatment that may save or extend their lives. All patients should work with their doctors to establish a treatment plan and goals.