Greater Density of Dermatologists Associated with Decreased Melanoma Mortality

A greater density of dermatologists within U.S. counties is associated with significantly lower melanoma mortality rates, a new study found. 

The study, published in the February issue of the Archives of Dermatology, followed 2,472 counties in the United States from 2002 to 2006 in order to investigate a possible correlation between the number of dermatologists per 100,000 people and the rate of melanoma mortality. 

In counties with 0.001 to 1 dermatologist per 100,000 people, researchers observed a 35% reduction in melanoma mortality rates compared with counties without any dermatologists.  In counties with 1.001 to 2 dermatologists per 100,000 people, a 53% reduction was observed. 

No further decrease in mortality was found in counties with 2 or more dermatologists per 100,000 people. 

“Within a given county, a greater dermatologist density is associated with lower melanoma mortality rates compared with counties that lacked a dermatologist,” researchers concluded.  

-Michael Potts