BACKGROUND

Lung cancer is the most frequent cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States and worldwide. Infectious diseases such as pneumonia and influenza are major risk factors for morbidity and mortality in patients diagnosed with lung cancer. Our study expands upon existing literature investigating epidemiological differences in lung cancer mortality, using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Wide-ranging Online Data for Epidemiology Research (WONDER) database to report on influenza- and pneumonia-related mortality rates in lung cancer patients through multiple decades.

METHODS

CDC WONDER was used to identify influenza- and pneumonia-related deaths in lung cancer patients that occurred within the United States from 1999 to 2022. Crude and age-adjusted mortality rates (AAMR) were calculated, as well as annual percent change and weighted average annual percent change with 95% confidence intervals for the AAMRs. The Joinpoint Regression Program was used to determine trends in mortality within the study period.

RESULTS

From 1999 to 2022, male lung cancer patients demonstrated greater mortality rates from pneumonia and influenza compared to females (60.6% vs. 39.4%). When stratified by race and ethnicity, Black patients had the highest AAMR over the study period at 9.1 per 100,000 people in 1999, as well as the most significant reduction in AAMR to 4.9 per 100,000 people in 2022. Additionally, AAMRs were consistently higher in rural areas compared to urban locations. By age group, patients aged 75–84 had the highest overall crude mortality rate at 28.3 per 100,000 people in 1999, with the lowest rate in ages 35–44 at 0.2 per 100,000 people in 2022.

CONCLUSION

This study expands upon previously reported trends in lung cancer mortality, highlighting epidemiological differences in influenza- and pneumonia-related death. Significant disparities in mortality rates were noted in older-aged, male, Black, and rural lung cancer patients. Targeted public health strategies concerning the unique needs of these diverse populations will be essential in improving mortality rates. Future research should also investigate the underlying causes of these disparities, and examine how certain community-based initiatives, such as campaigns for tobacco cessation, vaccination, and lung cancer screening, can inform guidelines and reduce preventable mortality in high-risk groups.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12931-025-03336-0.