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Satti DI, Chan JSK, Dee EC, Lee YHA, Wai AKC, Dani SS, Virani SS, Shapiro MD, Sharma G, Liu T, Tse G. Associations Between Social Determinants of Health and Cardiovascular Health of U.S. Adult Cancer Survivors. JACC CardioOncol 2024; 6:439-450. [PMID: 38983373 PMCID: PMC11229543 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaccao.2023.07.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2023] [Revised: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Relationships between the social determinants of health (SDOH) and cardiovascular health (CVH) of cancer survivors are underexplored. Objectives This study sought to investigate associations between the SDOH and CVH of adult cancer survivors. Methods Data from the U.S. National Health Interview Survey (2013-2017) were used. Participants reporting a history of cancer were included, excluding those with only nonmelanotic skin cancer, or with missing data for any domain of SDOH or CVH. SDOH was quantified with a 6-domain, 38-item score, consistent with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations (higher score indicated worse deprivation). CVH was quantified based on the American Heart Association's Life's Essential 8, but due to unavailable detailed dietary data, a 7-item CVH score was used, with a higher score indicating worse CVH. Survey-specific multivariable Poisson regression was used to test associations between SDOH quartiles and CVH. Results Altogether, 8,254 subjects were analyzed, representing a population of 10,887,989 persons. Worse SDOH was associated with worse CVH (highest vs lowest quartile: risk ratio 1.30; 95% CI: 1.25-1.35; P < 0.001), with a grossly linear relationship between SDOH and CVH scores. Subgroup analysis found significantly stronger associations in younger participants (P interaction = 0.026) or women (P interaction = 0.001) but without significant interactions with race (P interaction = 0.051). Higher scores in all domains of SDOH were independently associated with worse CVH (all P < 0.001). Higher SDOH scores were also independently associated with each component of the CVH score (all P < 0.05 for highest SDOH quartile). Conclusions An unfavorable SDOH profile was independently associated with worse CVH among adult cancer survivors in the United States.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danish Iltaf Satti
- Cardio-Oncology Research Unit, Cardiovascular Analytics Group, PowerHealth Limited, Hong Kong SAR
- Division of Cardiology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Jeffrey Shi Kai Chan
- Cardio-Oncology Research Unit, Cardiovascular Analytics Group, PowerHealth Limited, Hong Kong SAR
| | - Edward Christopher Dee
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Yan Hiu Athena Lee
- Cardio-Oncology Research Unit, Cardiovascular Analytics Group, PowerHealth Limited, Hong Kong SAR
| | - Abraham Ka Chung Wai
- Emergency Medicine Unit, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR
| | - Sourbha S. Dani
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Comparative Effective Research Institute, Lahey Hospital and Medical Center, Burlington, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Salim S. Virani
- Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan
- Texas Heart Institute, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Michael D. Shapiro
- Center for Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease, Section on Cardiovascular Medicine, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA
| | - Garima Sharma
- Inova Heart and Vascular Institute, Inova Fairfax Medical Campus, Falls Church, Virginia, USA
| | - Tong Liu
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Ionic-Molecular Function of Cardiovascular Disease, Department of Cardiology, Tianjin Institute of Cardiology, Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Gary Tse
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Ionic-Molecular Function of Cardiovascular Disease, Department of Cardiology, Tianjin Institute of Cardiology, Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
- School of Nursing and Health Studies, Hong Kong Metropolitan University, Hong Kong SAR
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Xie Z, Terrell K, Lee J, Suk R, Hong YR. Patterns and Reasons for Being Uninsured Among Sexual Minority Adults Before and After the Affordable Care Act Implementation. LGBT Health 2024. [PMID: 38656903 DOI: 10.1089/lgbt.2023.0166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Purpose: We aimed to identify the self-reported reasons for being uninsured and sociodemographic factors associated with uninsurance among lesbian, gay, or bisexual (LGB) adults before and after the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Methods: We analyzed the 2013-2018 National Health Interview Survey data using multivariable logistic regression models to estimate the odds of being uninsured and the prevalence of self-reported reasons for not having insurance among LGB adults aged 18-64 years. Results: The study included 2124 LGB adults. The weighted uninsured rate decreased significantly from 19.6% in 2013 to 13.2% in 2017-2018 (odds ratio 0.61; 95% confidence interval 0.47-0.78). The primary reason cited for not having insurance post-ACA was similar to pre-ACA, with cost-related factors being the most commonly reported (31.5%). Conclusion: The overall uninsured rate decreased among LGB adults from 2013 to 2018, whereas disparities across subpopulations remained. Cost-related factors remained significant barriers to obtaining insurance coverage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhigang Xie
- Department of Public Health, University of North Florida, Jacksonville, Florida, USA
| | - Kassie Terrell
- Department of Public Health, University of North Florida, Jacksonville, Florida, USA
| | - Juhan Lee
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Ryan Suk
- Department of Management, Policy and Community Health, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Young-Rock Hong
- Department of Health Services Research, Management, and Policy, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
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3
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Wu J, Moss H. Financial Toxicity in the Post-Health Reform Era. J Am Coll Radiol 2023; 20:10-17. [PMID: 36509218 DOI: 10.1016/j.jacr.2022.09.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2022] [Revised: 09/21/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA), enacted in March 2010, was comprehensive health care reform legislation aimed to improve health care access and quality of care and curb health care-related costs. This review focuses on key provisions of the ACA and their impact on financial toxicity. We will focus our review on cancer care, because this is the most commonly studied disease process in respect to financial toxicity. Patients with cancer face rising expenditures and financial burden, which in turn impact quality of life, compliance to treatment, and survival outcomes. Health insurance expansion include dependent-coverage expansion, Medicaid expansion, and establishment of the Marketplace. Coverage reform focused on reducing financial barriers by limiting cost sharing. Payment reforms included new innovative payment and delivery systems to focus on improving outcomes and reducing costs. Challenges remain as efforts to reduce costs have led to the expansion of insurance plans, such as high-deductible health plans, that may ultimately worsen financial toxicity in cancer and high out-of-pocket costs for further diagnostic testing and procedures. Further research is necessary to evaluate the long-term impacts of the ACA provisions-and threats to the ACA-on outcomes and the costs accrued by patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenny Wu
- Resident, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina.
| | - Haley Moss
- Assistant Professor, Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Duke Cancer Institute, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
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Kazzi B, Chino F, Kazzi B, Jain B, Tian S, Paguio JA, Yao JS, Muralidhar V, Mahal BA, Nguyen PL, Sanford NN, Dee EC. Shared burden: the association between cancer diagnosis, financial toxicity, and healthcare cost-related coping mechanisms by family members of non-elderly patients in the USA. Support Care Cancer 2022; 30:8905-8917. [PMID: 35877007 DOI: 10.1007/s00520-022-07234-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2021] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE There has been little research on the healthcare cost-related coping mechanisms of families of patients with cancer. Therefore, we assessed the association between a cancer diagnosis and the healthcare cost-related coping mechanisms of participant family members through their decision to forego or delay seeking medical care, one of the manifestations of financial toxicity. METHODS Using data from the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) between 2000 and 2018, sample weight-adjusted prevalence was calculated and multivariable logistic regressions defined adjusted odds ratios (aORs) for participant family members who needed but did not get medical care or who delayed seeking medical care due to cost in the past 12 months, adjusting for relevant sociodemographic covariates, including participant history of cancer (yes vs. no) and participant age (18-45 vs. 46-64 years old). The analysis of family members foregoing or delaying medical care was repeated using a cancer diagnosis * age interaction term. RESULTS Participants with cancer were more likely than those without a history of cancer to report family members delaying (19.63% vs. 16.31%, P < 0.001) or foregoing (14.53% vs. 12.35%, P = 0.001) medical care. Participants with cancer in the 18 to 45 years old age range were more likely to report family members delaying (pinteraction = 0.028) or foregoing (pinteraction < 0.001) medical care. Other factors associated with cost-related coping mechanisms undertaken by the participants' family members included female sex, non-married status, poorer health status, lack of health insurance coverage, and lower household income. CONCLUSION A cancer diagnosis may be associated with familial healthcare cost-related coping mechanisms, one of the manifestations of financial toxicity. This is seen through delayed/omitted medical care of family members of people with a history of cancer, an association that may be stronger among young adult cancer survivors. These findings underscore the need to further explore how financial toxicity associated with a cancer diagnosis can affect patients' family members and to design interventions to mitigate healthcare cost-related coping mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bahaa Kazzi
- Department of Biology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Fumiko Chino
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY, 02446, USA
| | - Brigitte Kazzi
- Department of Internal Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Bhav Jain
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Sibo Tian
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Joseph A Paguio
- Department of Medicine, Einstein Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - J Seth Yao
- Department of Medicine, Einstein Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | | | - Brandon A Mahal
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Miami/Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Paul L Nguyen
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute/Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Nina N Sanford
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Texas Southwestern, 2280 Inwood Road, Dallas, TX, 75235, USA.
| | - Edward Christopher Dee
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY, 02446, USA.
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Jiang C, Deng L, Karr M, Wen Y, Wang Q, Perimbeti S, Shapiro CL, Han X. Chronic comorbid conditions among adult cancer survivors in the United States: Results from the National Health Interview Survey, 2002-2018. Cancer 2022; 128:828-838. [PMID: 34706057 PMCID: PMC8792209 DOI: 10.1002/cncr.33981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2021] [Revised: 09/28/2021] [Accepted: 09/30/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cancer survivors develop other chronic medical conditions because of shared risk factors and delayed effects of cancer treatment. This study investigated trends in the prevalence of chronic diseases and estimated their population sizes among adult cancer survivors in the United States from 2002 to 2018. METHODS Using 2002-2018 National Health Interview Survey data, this study calculated the age-sex-race/ethnicity-adjusted prevalences and estimated the population sizes for the following chronic conditions among cancer survivors: hypertension, diabetes, stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)/asthma, hepatitis, arthritis, liver disease, kidney disease, and morbid obesity. This study also examined multiple chronic conditions (MCC; 3 or more health conditions). MCC trends were further examined by sociodemographic factors to identify high-risk populations. Parallel analyses were performed for participants without a cancer history to provide a reference. RESULTS Among 30,728 cancers survivors, increasing trends were observed in the prevalence of hypertension, diabetes, kidney disease, liver disease, and morbid obesity, whereas decreasing prevalence trends were observed for ischemic heart disease, COPD, and hepatitis. Cancer survivors with MCC increased from 4.7 million in 2002 to 8.1 million in 2018 (the prevalence increased from 43.7% to 46.6%). The increase was more pronounced among survivors aged 18 to 44 years. Among adults without a cancer history, the MCC prevalence also increased, although more slowly than among survivors. CONCLUSIONS The number of adult cancer survivors in the United States with comorbid illnesses has increased substantially over the past 2 decades. Optimal management of comorbid conditions and aggressive interventions for risk reduction may benefit the cancer survivor population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Changchuan Jiang
- Department of Medicine, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Lei Deng
- Department of Medicine, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Matthew Karr
- Department of Medicine, Mount Sinai Morningside/Mount Sinai West, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Yumeng Wen
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Qian Wang
- Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Stuthi Perimbeti
- Department of Medicine, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Charles L. Shapiro
- Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Xuesong Han
- Surveillance and Health Equity Science, American Cancer Society, Atlanta, GA, USA
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6
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Su LJ, O'Connor SN, Chiang TC. Association Between Household Income and Self-Perceived Health Status and Poor Mental and Physical Health Among Cancer Survivors. Front Public Health 2021; 9:752868. [PMID: 34950625 PMCID: PMC8688689 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2021.752868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2021] [Accepted: 11/12/2021] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is multidimensional and is composed of, at a minimum, self-perceived health status, physical functioning, and psychological well-being. HRQoL measures reflect the extent of disability and dysfunction associated with a chronic disease such as cancer. The objective of this study is to examine factors associated with HRQoL among cancer survivors. Methods: Data from the 2009 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System survey was used to examine factors associated with HRQoL among participants who reported having ever been diagnosed with cancer. Four questions associated with HRQoL included self-perceived health status, number of bad physical health days, and number of bad mental health days per month. Least square regression and logistic regression models, adjusted for confounding variables, were used for an ordinal and dichotomous [5 (bad) vs. 1–4 (excellent, very good, good, fair)] scale of HRQoL, respectively. Results: Fifty nine thousand one hundred seventy three participants reported having ever been diagnosed with cancer. Adjusted mean self-perceived health status (5-point scale) among survivors of thyroid, colon, lung, cervical, breast, prostate, and ovarian cancer was 3.83 (0.05), 4.02 (0.04), 4.36 (0.06), 3.77 (0.03), 3.88 (0.03), 3.78 (0.04), and 3.96 (0.05), respectively. After adjusting for confounders, a positive dose-response effect was observed between income range and all three HRQoL measures across all seven cancer sites. Income was consistently and inversely associated with a higher chance for reporting poorer HRQoL [OR: 0.64, 95% CI: 0.57–0.71], [OR: 0.63, 95% CI: 0.48–0.82], [OR: 0.67, 95% CI: 0.56–0.80], [OR: 0.69, 95% CI: 0.56–0.86], [OR: 0.55, 95% CI: 0.49–0.62], [OR:0.55, 95% CI: 0.44–0.69], [OR: 0.75, 95% CI: 0.62–0.91] among those with thyroid, colon, lung, cervical, breast, prostate, and ovarian cancer, respectively. Discussion: This study found that income range was associated with HRQoL among cancer survivors. It is plausible that financial resources may lessen the overall burden of cancer survivors, which could improve health-related quality of life among cancer survivors.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Joseph Su
- Department of Epidemiology, Fay W. Boozman College of Public Health, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, United States
| | - Sarah N O'Connor
- Department of Epidemiology, Fay W. Boozman College of Public Health, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, United States
| | - Tung-Chin Chiang
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Fay W. Boozman College of Public Health, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, United States
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Fiala MA. Disparities in health care affordability among childhood cancer survivors persist following the Affordable Care Act. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2021; 68:e29370. [PMID: 34626446 DOI: 10.1002/pbc.29370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2021] [Revised: 09/10/2021] [Accepted: 09/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Affordable Care Act (ACA) included many provisions that may have improved access to care for childhood cancer survivors (CCS). In this study, we sought to compare health insurance coverage and the affordability of health care among adult childhood CCS before and after the implementation of the ACA. PROCEDURE Using data from the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), two cohorts of CCS age 21-65 years old and matched (1:3) controls without a history of cancer were identified. A difference-in-differences analysis was used to compare insurance coverage and health care affordability pre- (2011-2013) and post-ACA (2015-2017). RESULTS There were 309 CCS identified in the pre-ACA cohort and 324 in the post-ACA cohort. The two cohorts were similar in demographic composition. Prior to the ACA, CCS were 39% more likely to be uninsured than their peers (p = .046). Post, there was no difference in the odds of being uninsured between CCS and their peers. Following implementation of the ACA, the proportion of CCS who reported having difficulty with the affordability of health care decreased (p = .013) as did the proportion reporting skipping needed care due to cost (p < .001). However, 13% of CCS still reported being uninsured, 36% reported difficulty paying for health care, and 13% reported foregoing needed care due to cost. Relative to their peers, CCS saw improvement in foregoing needed care due to cost, but disparities still remain. CONCLUSIONS Although improvements were observed, health care affordability, and medical nonadherence remains a problem for CCS. IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS Additional efforts are needed to improve health care affordability among CCS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark A Fiala
- Division of Oncology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri, USA.,School of Social Work, Saint Louis University, St Louis, Missouri, USA
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Balachandra S, Eary RL, Lee R, Wynings EM, Sher DJ, Sura T, Liu Y, Tillman BN, Sumer BD, Arnold EM, Tiro JA, Lee SC, Day AT. Substance use and mental health burden in head and neck and other cancer survivors: A National Health Interview Survey analysis. Cancer 2021; 128:112-121. [PMID: 34499355 DOI: 10.1002/cncr.33881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2020] [Revised: 01/17/2021] [Accepted: 02/13/2021] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tobacco dependence, alcohol abuse, depression, distress, and other adverse patient-level influences are common in head and neck cancer (HNC) survivors. Their interrelatedness and precise burden in comparison with survivors of other cancers are poorly understood. METHODS National Health Interview Survey data from 1997 to 2016 were pooled. The prevalence of adverse patient-level influences among HNC survivors and matched survivors of other cancers were compared using descriptive statistics. Multivariable logistic regressions evaluating covariate associations with the primary study outcomes were performed. These included 1) current cigarette smoking and/or heavy alcohol use (>14 drinks per week) and 2) high mental health burden (severe psychological distress [Kessler Index ≥ 13] and/or frequent depressive/anxiety symptoms). RESULTS In all, 918 HNC survivors and 3672 matched survivors of other cancers were identified. Compared with other cancer survivors, more HNC survivors were current smokers and/or heavy drinkers (24.6% [95% CI, 21.5%-27.7%] vs 18.0% [95% CI, 16.6%-19.4%]) and exhibited a high mental health burden (18.6% [95% CI, 15.7%-21.5%] vs 13.0% [95% CI, 11.7%-14.3%]). In multivariable analyses, 1) a high mental health burden predicted for smoking and/or heavy drinking (odds ratio [OR], 1.4; 95% CI, 1.0-1.9), and 2) current cigarette smoking predicted for a high mental health burden (OR, 1.7; 95% CI, 1.2-2.3). Furthermore, nonpartnered marital status and uninsured/Medicaid insurance status were significantly associated with both cigarette smoking and/or heavy alcohol use (ORs, 1.9 [95% CI, 1.4-2.5] and 1.5 [95% CI, 1.0-2.1], respectively) and a high mental health burden (ORs, 1.4 [95% CI, 1.1 -1.8] and 3.0 [95% CI, 2.2-4.2], respectively). CONCLUSIONS Stakeholders should allocate greater supportive care resources to HNC survivors. The interdependence of substance abuse, adverse mental health symptoms, and other adverse patient-level influences requires development of novel, multimodal survivorship care interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanjana Balachandra
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | - Rebecca L Eary
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | - Rebecca Lee
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | - Erin M Wynings
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | - David J Sher
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | - Teena Sura
- Department of Population and Data Sciences, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | - Yulun Liu
- Department of Population and Data Sciences, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | - Brittny N Tillman
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | - Baran D Sumer
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | - Elizabeth Mayfield Arnold
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | - Jasmin A Tiro
- Department of Population and Data Sciences, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas.,Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, Population Science and Cancer Control Program, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | - Simon C Lee
- Department of Population and Data Sciences, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas.,Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, Population Science and Cancer Control Program, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | - Andrew T Day
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas.,Department of Population and Data Sciences, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas.,Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, Population Science and Cancer Control Program, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
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9
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Su CT, Okullo D, Hingtgen S, Levine DA, Goold SD. Affordable Care Act and Cancer Survivors' Financial Barriers to Care: Analysis of the National Health Interview Survey, 2009-2018. JCO Oncol Pract 2021; 17:e1603-e1613. [PMID: 34255545 DOI: 10.1200/op.21.00095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Since Affordable Care Act (ACA) implementation in 2014, studies have demonstrated gains in insurance coverage for cancer survivors < 65 years. We assessed the impact of ACA implementation on financial barriers to care by stratifying survivors at age 65 years, when individuals typically become Medicare-eligible. METHODS We used data from respondents with cancer in the 2009-2018 National Health Interview Survey. We identified 21,954 respondents representing approximately 7.4 million survivors, who were then age-stratified at age 65 years. Survey responses regarding financial barriers to medical care and medications were analyzed, and age-stratified multivariable logistic regression modeling was performed, which evaluated the impact of ACA implementation on these measures, adjusted for demographic and socioeconomic variables. RESULTS After multivariable logistic regression, ACA implementation was associated with higher adjusted odds of Medicaid insurance (odds ratio [95% CI] 2.02 [1.72 to 2.36]; P < .0001) and lower adjusted odds of no insurance (0.57 [0.48 to 0.68]; P < .0001). Regarding financial barriers, ACA implementation was associated with lower adjusted odds of inability to afford medications (0.68 [0.59 to 0.79]; P < .0001), inability to afford dental care (0.83 [0.73 to 0.94]; P = .004), and delaying care (0.78 [0.69 to 0.89]; P = .002) in the 18-64 years group. Similarly, ACA implementation was associated with lower adjusted odds of secondary outcomes such as delaying refills, skipping doses, and anxiety over medical bills. Similar associations were not seen in the > 65 years group. CONCLUSION Survivor-reported measures of financial barriers in cancer survivors age 18-64 years significantly improved following ACA implementation. Similar changes were not seen in the Medicare-eligible cohort, likely because of high Medicare enrollment and few uninsured.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher T Su
- Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI.,Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI.,Rogel Cancer Center, Michigan Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Dolorence Okullo
- Division of General Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Stephanie Hingtgen
- Division of General Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Deborah A Levine
- Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI.,Division of General Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Susan D Goold
- Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI.,Division of General Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI.,Department of Health Management and Policy, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
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10
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Financial worry and psychological distress among cancer survivors in the United States, 2013-2018. Support Care Cancer 2021; 29:5523-5535. [PMID: 33725174 DOI: 10.1007/s00520-021-06084-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2020] [Accepted: 02/18/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A growing proportion of cancer survivors experience financial toxicity. However, the psychological burden of cancer costs and associated mental health outcomes require further investigation. We assessed prevalence and predictors of self-reported financial worry and mental health outcomes among cancer survivors. PATIENTS AND METHODS Data from the 2013-2018 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) for adults reporting a cancer diagnosis were used. Multivariable ordinal logistic regressions defined adjusted odds ratios (AORs) of reporting financial worry by relevant sociodemographic variables, and sample weight-adjusted prevalence of financial worry was estimated. The association between financial worry and psychological distress, as defined by the six-item Kessler Psychological Distress Scale was also assessed. RESULTS Among 13,361 survey participants (median age 67; 60.0% female), 9567 (71.6%) self-reported financial worry, including worries regarding costs of paying for children's college education (62.7%), maintaining one's standard of living (59.7%), and medical costs due to illness or accident (58.3%). Female sex, younger age, and Asian American race were associated with increased odds of financial worry (P < 0.05 for all). Of 13,218 participants with complete responses to K6 questions, 701 (5.3%) met the threshold for severe psychological distress. Participants endorsing financial worry were more likely to have psychological distress (6.6 vs. 1.2%, AOR 2.89, 95% CI 2.03-4.13, P< 0.001) with each additional worry conferring 23.9% increased likelihood of psychological distress. CONCLUSIONS A majority of cancer survivors reported financial worry, which was associated with greater odds of reporting psychological distress. Policies and guidelines are needed to identify and mitigate financial worries and psychologic distress among patients with cancer, with the goal of improving psychological well-being and overall cancer survivorship care.
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Dee EC, Muralidhar V, Butler SS, Yu Z, Sha ST, Mahal BA, Nguyen PL, Sanford NN. General and Health-Related Internet Use Among Cancer Survivors in the United States: A 2013-2018 Cross-Sectional Analysis. J Natl Compr Canc Netw 2020; 18:1468-1475. [PMID: 33152707 DOI: 10.6004/jnccn.2020.7591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2020] [Accepted: 05/12/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A significant proportion of cancer survivors endorse ongoing health information needs and may use the internet to access information. We assessed patterns and predictors of general and health-specific internet use among cancer survivors. METHODS Using data from the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), which was administered in 2013 through 2018, for adults reporting a cancer diagnosis, sample weight-adjusted estimates defined prevalence and multivariable logistic regressions defined adjusted odds ratios (aORs) of general and health-specific internet use, adjusting for relevant sociodemographic covariates, including healthcare satisfaction as the primary independent variable. The analysis for health-specific internet use was also repeated including a sex (female vs male)*healthcare satisfaction (very satisfied/somewhat satisfied vs somewhat dissatisfied/very dissatisfied) interaction term. RESULTS Among 12,970 survivors of cancer, general and health-specific internet use increased from 2013 to 2018 (from 63.2% to 70.8% and from 46.8% to 52.2%, respectively; P<.05 for both). Survivors who were very dissatisfied with healthcare were more likely to use the internet for health information compared with those who were very satisfied (59.5% vs 48.0%; aOR, 1.78; 95% CI, 1.20-2.64; P=.004). Younger age, female sex, higher educational attainment, and higher socioeconomic status were all associated with increased reported use of the internet for both general and health-specific purposes (P<.001 for all). There was a significant sex*healthcare satisfaction interaction (P=.009) such that for female survivors, healthcare dissatisfaction was associated with higher odds of health-specific internet use (61.4% vs 52.5%; P<.001; men, P=.97). No association was found between healthcare satisfaction and general internet use (P=.42). CONCLUSIONS The increasing proportion of survivors of cancer using the internet for health-specific information may be associated with self-reported dissatisfaction with healthcare. Efforts are needed to improve both access to the internet and the quality of cancer-relevant online health information, and to enhance patients' online health literacy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Santino S Butler
- Harvard Medical School, and.,Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | | | - Sybil T Sha
- Geisel School of Medicine, Hanover, New Hampshire
| | - Brandon A Mahal
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, and.,Office of Community Outreach and Engagement, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Miami, Florida; and
| | | | - Nina N Sanford
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
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Ko OS, Weiner AB, Desai AS, Vo AX, Miller JA, Cooley LF, Kundu SD. Bladder Cancer Following Medicaid Expansion: No Changes in the Diagnosis of Muscle-Invasive Disease and Time to Treatment. Bladder Cancer 2020. [DOI: 10.3233/blc-200294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Bladder cancer patients who are insured experience improved outcomes. Medicaid expansion aimed to increase insurance coverage and improve access to care. However, the association between Medicaid expansion and stage at diagnosis or time to treatment for those with advanced bladder cancer is unknown. OBJECTIVE: We sought to determine to association of Medicaid expansion with stage at diagnosis, and time to treatment for patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer. METHODS: A US-based cancer registry was utilized to evaluate the association between Medicaid expansion and cancer stage at diagnosis, insurance rates, and time to treatment (>60 days from diagnosis) for those diagnosed with bladder cancer. We compared outcomes in non-Medicare-aged patients in non-expansion states (n = 16,602) and expansion states (n = 15,921) before (years 2012-2013) and after (years 2015-2016) Medicaid expansion with adjusted difference-in-differences (DIDs) using multivariable linear regression. RESULTS: The DIDs of percentage of bladder cancer patients with Stage≥II disease (0.02%; 95% confidence interval [CI] –1.91 to 1.95%, p = 0.9), without insurance (–0.65%; 95% CI –1.71 to 0.41), and with metastatic disease at diagnosis (–0.07%; 95% CI –1.14 to 1.00, both p > 0.10) did not change following insurance expansion despite an increase in Medicaid coverage (6.03%; 95% CI 4.79 to 7.29, p < 0.01). Any treatment with either cystectomy, radiation or systemic therapy > 60 days after diagnosis of stage≥II disease did not change (DID 1.48%; 95% CI –3.29 to 6.25%, p = 0.50). On subgroup analysis of patients living in low-income regions, the rates of stage≥II disease, no insurance, metastatic disease, and time to treatment did not significantly change. CONCLUSION: Medicaid expansion was not associated with changes in advanced cancer stage at diagnosis or time to treatment in newly diagnosed bladder cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oliver S. Ko
- Department of Urology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Adam B. Weiner
- Department of Urology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Anuj S. Desai
- Department of Urology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Amanda X. Vo
- Department of Urology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Jake A. Miller
- Department of Urology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Lauren F. Cooley
- Department of Urology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Shilajit D. Kundu
- Department of Urology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
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