Cancer is the second biggest cause of death in the United States, killing an estimated 605,213 people in 2021 alone, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. While lung, colon, and breast cancer are the most frequent types of cancer, they are far from the most lethal. The five-year survival rate – the number of persons who have not died from their cancer five years after diagnosis – is used by cancer researchers to estimate how lethal a cancer is. According to this metric, mesothelioma is one of the deadliest cancers in the United States. Consider that the overall five-year survival rate for cancer is 68%. Mesothelioma has a twelve percent survival rate.
While relatively uncommon, mesothelioma is a deadly form of cancer caused by asbestos exposure
While relatively uncommon, mesothelioma is a deadly form of cancer caused by asbestos exposure. Until the 1980s, asbestos was widely utilized in construction, manufacturing, and fireproofing. While its use is no longer widespread, it can still be found in historic houses, businesses, and even schools and institutions around the country. So, where are the people most in danger of being exposed to asbestos and acquiring and dying from this terrible cancer? Bailey Glasser LLP found the states with the greatest and lowest rates of new cases and deaths using data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Cancer Institute.
State-by-state rates of new mesothelioma
Over 15,000 people were diagnosed with mesothelioma in the United States between 2015 and 2019. The map depicts the state-by-state age-adjusted rates of new cancer per 100,000 people. Alaska and Maine had the highest rate of new cancers, at 1.3 per 100,000 people, nearly double the national rate (0.7). Hawaii, on the other hand, had the lowest rate at 0.4 per 100,000 people. Nevada is excluded because new mesothelioma diagnosis data from the CDC was suppressed.
Death rates from mesothelioma by state
In the same time period, from 2015 to 2019, 12,431 people died as a result of cancer. With 1.1 deaths per 100,000 people, Delaware had the highest rate of mesothelioma deaths, nearly twice the national average (0.6). With 0.4 per 100,000, Arkansas, Georgia, Hawaii, and South Dakota had the lowest rates of mesothelioma deaths.
Interestingly, mesothelioma death rates in the United States have decreased across the board since 1999, from 0.9 per 100,000 people to the current rate of 0.6. However, annual death tolls have risen during that time. This phenomenon is most likely the result of a steady increase in population, combined with mesothelioma’s long latency period. With advances in treatment, the five-year survival rate has increased considerably during this time period as well – from just over six percent to twelve percent (though that figure depends on which stage of mesothelioma is diagnosed).
10 states with the highest rates of mesothelioma diagnosis and death
#1. Maine
- New Mesothelioma Cancer Rate: 1.3 per 100,000 (131 new cases)
- Mesothelioma Death Rate: 1.1 per 100,000 (106 deaths)
#2. Delaware
- New Mesothelioma Cancer Rate: 1.2 per 100,000 (72 new cases)
- Mesothelioma Death Rate: 1.1 per 100,000 (67 deaths)
#3. Minnesota
- New Mesothelioma Cancer Rate: 1.2 per 100,000 (373 new cases)
- Mesothelioma Death Rate: 1.1 per 100,000 (317 deaths)
#4. Alaska
- New Mesothelioma Cancer Rate: 1.3 per 100,000 (41 new cases)
- Mesothelioma Death Rate: 0.9 per 100,000 (28 deaths)
#5. Washington
- New Mesothelioma Cancer Rate: 1.1 per 100,000 (440 new cases)
- Mesothelioma Death Rate: 1.0 per 100,000 (396 deaths)
#6. Louisiana
- New Mesothelioma Cancer Rate: 1.2 per 100,000 (330 new cases)
- Mesothelioma Death Rate: 0.9 per 100,000 (252 deaths)
#7. West Virginia
- New Mesothelioma Cancer Rate: 1.2 per 100,000 (148 new cases)
- Mesothelioma Death Rate: 0.9 per 100,000 (114 deaths)
#8. Idaho
- New Mesothelioma Cancer Rate: 1.1 per 100,000 (107 new cases)
- Mesothelioma Death Rate: 1.0 per 100,000 (94 deaths)
#9. Montana
- New Mesothelioma Cancer Rate: 1.2 per 100,000 (85 new cases)
- Mesothelioma Death Rate: 0.9 per 100,000 (65 deaths)
#10. Wisconsin
- New Mesothelioma Cancer Rate: 1.1 per 100,000 (393 new cases)
- Mesothelioma Death Rate: 0.8 per 100,000 (338 deaths)
10 states with the lowest incidence of mesothelioma diagnosis and death
#1. Hawaii
- New Mesothelioma Cancer Rate: 0.4 per 100,000 (38 new cases)
- Mesothelioma Death Rate: 0.4 per 100,000 (36 deaths)
#2. South Dakota
- New Mesothelioma Cancer Rate: 0.6 per 100,000 (31 new cases)
- Mesothelioma Death Rate: 0.4 per 100,000 (25 deaths)
#3. Arkansas
- New Mesothelioma Cancer Rate: 0.6 per 100,000 (116 new cases)
- Mesothelioma Death Rate: 0.4 per 100,000 (85 deaths)
#4. Georgia
- New Mesothelioma Cancer Rate: 0.6 per 100,000 (298 new cases)
- Mesothelioma Death Rate: 0.4 per 100,000 (226 deaths)
#5. New Mexico
- New Mesothelioma Cancer Rate: 0.6 per 100,000 (80 new cases)
- Mesothelioma Death Rate: 0.5 per 100,000 (70 deaths)
#6. Alabama
- New Mesothelioma Cancer Rate: 0.6 per 100,000 (184 new cases)
- Mesothelioma Death Rate: 0.5 per 100,000 (140 deaths)
#7. North Dakota
- New Mesothelioma Cancer Rate: 0.6 per 100,000 (29 new cases)
- Mesothelioma Death Rate: 0.6 per 100,000 (27 deaths)
#8. Nebraska
- New Mesothelioma Cancer Rate: 0.6 per 100,000 (69 new cases)
- Mesothelioma Death Rate: 1.0 per 100,000 (61 deaths)
#9. Kansas
- New Mesothelioma Cancer Rate: 0.6 per 100,000 (106 new cases)
- Mesothelioma Death Rate: 0.6 per 100,000 (103 deaths)
#10. Kentucky
- New Mesothelioma Cancer Rate: 0.7 per 100,000 (175 new cases)
- Mesothelioma Death Rate: 0.5 per 100,000 (138 deaths)
The ten counties in the United States with the highest rates of mesothelioma diagnosis and death
The study identifies the ten counties in the United States with the highest rates of mesothelioma diagnosis and death. All ten have significantly higher death and diagnosis rates than the states in which they reside, and at least double the national rate of new cancer diagnoses.
Jefferson Parish had the highest rate of new mesothelioma cancer diagnoses and the second-highest rate of mesothelioma deaths in the United States. It had a new cancer diagnosis rate that was more than double that of Louisiana and 3.5 times that of the national average.
New London County has the highest mesothelioma death rate in the country, at 2.2 per 100,000 people.
Kitsap County, Washington, is the only West Coast county in the top ten, and it is tied with Jackson County, Mississippi, for the second-highest rate of new cancers.
*Because data for counties with fewer than 16 cases (or deaths) were suppressed, we were unable to determine which counties had the lowest rates.
#1. Jefferson Parish, Louisiana
Population: 2,177,527
- New Mesothelioma Cancer Rate: 2.6 per 100,000
- Mesothelioma Death Rate: 2.1 per 100,000
#2. Jackson County, Mississippi
Population: 720,002
- New Mesothelioma Cancer Rate: 2.4 per 100,000
- Mesothelioma Death Rate: 2.1 per 100,000
#3. Kitsap County, Washington
Population: 1,331,404
- New Mesothelioma Cancer Rate: 2.4 per 100,000
- Mesothelioma Death Rate: 2.0 per 100,000
#4. New London County, Connecticut
Population: 1,339,159
- New Mesothelioma Cancer Rate: 2.1 per 100,000
- Mesothelioma Death Rate: 2.2 per 100,000
#5. Gloucester County, New Jersey
Population: 1,456,501
- New Mesothelioma Cancer Rate: 2.3 per 100,000
- Mesothelioma Death Rate: 1.7 per 100,000
#6. Butler County, Pennsylvania
Population: 935,900
- New Mesothelioma Cancer Rate: 2.2 per 100,000
- Mesothelioma Death Rate: 1.5 per 100,000
#7. York County, Maine
Population: 1,022,712
- New Mesothelioma Cancer Rate: 1.9 per 100,000
- Mesothelioma Death Rate: 1.5 per 100,000
#8. Camden County, New Jersey
Population: 2,534,555
- New Mesothelioma Cancer Rate: 1.9 per 100,000
- Mesothelioma Death Rate: 1.4 per 100,000
#9. Somerset County, New Jersey
Population: 1,651,105
- New Mesothelioma Cancer Rate: 1.8 per 100,000
- Mesothelioma Death Rate: 1.5 per 100,000
#10. Niagara County, New York
Population: 1,054,720
- New Mesothelioma Cancer Rate: 1.6 per 100,000
- Mesothelioma Death Rate: 1.6 per 100,000
How to lower your risk
The majority of mesothelioma cases are caused by asbestos exposure. When the materials are disturbed, people are exposed by breathing in tiny asbestos fibers. Although statistics show that the vast majority of people will not develop mesothelioma, it is critical to avoid asbestos exposure whenever possible.
Asbestos was widely used prior to the 1980s, and many older homes and buildings still contain it. Asbestos may be present in pipe and furnace insulation, siding, popcorn ceilings, attic insulation, and flooring in older homes. If the materials need to be replaced or you plan to renovate your home, avoid disturbing them and consult with a local agency or certified asbestos contractor.
If you work with asbestos-containing materials, always wear the appropriate personal protective equipment and, if possible, obtain asbestos-handling training. Some industries’ workers are more likely to be affected than others. Military veterans, shipyard workers, construction workers, and even educators and school employees fall into this category. If you believe asbestos is causing harm in your workplace, you should notify your employer or a health and safety representative. If that does not resolve your issue, you should contact your state’s work health and safety regulator.
Information and methodology
The United States Department of Health and Human Services, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the National Cancer Institute provided mesothelioma data for each state and county from 2015 to 2019. A composite ranking of death rates and rates of new cancer cases was used to determine state and county rankings; ties were broken by total number of deaths, then total number of new cases.
