ASPO Abstracts
Identifying small geographic areas for educational radon interventions
Category: Cancer Health Disparities
Conference Year: 2021
Abstract Body:
Purpose: Educational interventions are currently the only approved means to improve radon testing in Utah, a
state with a low smoking and high radon emission potential. This ecologic analysis describes characteristics of
census block groups that are priorities for targeted educational interventions about radon testing.
Methods: A database of 20,368 household radon tests collected from 2001 to 2017 by a public health agency
were linked to radon soil emission potential maps and demographic data from the 2010 census. We identified
priority intervention census block groups, defined as block groups with ≤5% of homes tested and ≥75% of homes
on high radon potential soils. We fit log-linear Poisson models to calculate associations between block-group level
demographic characteristics and the rate ratios (RR) for the proportion of homes on high radon soils and home
radon testing. We calculated odds ratios (ORs) using logistic regression models to identify demographic
characteristics of priority intervention block groups, defined as having ≤5% of homes tested for radon and ≥75% of
homes on high radon soil.
Results: In our data, 40% had radon greater than the health standard of 4 pCi. Within block groups, the proportion
of homes built on high radon soils was positively correlated with a greater percent of of Asian residents
(RRper10%=1.34, 95% CI=1.31-1.37) and owner-occupied housing units (RRper10% =1.15, 95% CI=1.15-1.15).
The proportion of homes tested for radon was inversely correlated with the percent of Hispanic (RRper10%=0.71,
95% CI=0.69-0.74) and Native American residents (RRper10%=0.18, 95% CI=0.14-0.24). Characteristics
correlated with designation as a priority intervention block group were a greater percent of persons aged <25
years (OR per10%=1.35, 95% CI=1.06-1.70), single female heads of household (OR per10%=1.93, 95% CI=1.04-
3.57), and owner occupied housing units (OR per10%=1.24, 95% CI=1.12-1.36).
Conclusions: Culturally and linguistically appropriate resources for radon testing among block groups with a great
percent of Hispanics, Native Americans, female heads of households, and persons aged <25 years. Providing
radon test kits and additional support to these populations and home owners may also be needed.
Keywords: Lung Cancer; Radon; Education