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Outcomes of Lymphoma Among American Adolescent and Young Adult Patients Varied by Health Insurance-A SEER-based Study. J Pediatr Hematol Oncol 2022; 44:e403-e412. [PMID: 34486562 DOI: 10.1097/mph.0000000000002314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2021] [Accepted: 08/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Impacts of health insurance status on survival outcomes among adolescent and young adult (AYA, 15 to 39 years of age) patients with lymphoma in the United States are insufficiently known. This study aimed to clarify associations between health insurance status and overall survival (OS) estimates in this population. MATERIALS AND METHODS We examined 18 Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results registries in the United States and analyzed American AYA patients with lymphoma diagnosed during January 2007 and December 2016. Health insurance status was categorized, and Kaplan-Meier and multifactor Cox regressions were adopted using hazard ratio and 95% confidence interval. Probable baseline confounding was modulated by multiple propensity score. RESULTS A total of 21,149 patients were considered; ~28% were 18 to 25 years old, and 63.5% and 7.5% had private and no insurance, respectively. Private insurance rates increased in the 18 to 25 age group (60.1% to 6.1%, P<0.001) following the 2010 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA), and lymphoma survival rates improved slightly 1 to 5 years postdiagnosis. Five-year OS rates decreased with age (93.9%, 90.4%, and 87.0% at 15 to 17, 18 to 25, and 26 to 39, respectively) and differed among insurance conditions (81.7%, 79.2%, 89.2%, and 92.0% for uninsured, Medicaid, insured, and insured/no specifics, respectively). Risk of death was significantly higher for those with Medicaid or no insurance than for those with private insurance in multiple propensity score-adjusted models (hazard ratio [95% confidence interval]=1.07 [1.03-1.12]), independent of stage at diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS No or insufficient insurance was linked to poor OS in our sample in exposure-outcome association analysis. Insurance coverage and health care availability may enhance disparate outcomes of AYAs with cancer. The ACA has improved insurance coverage and survival rates for out sample. Nevertheless, strategies are needed to identify causality and eliminate disparities.
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Ellis L, Canchola AJ, Spiegel D, Ladabaum U, Haile R, Gomez SL. Trends in Cancer Survival by Health Insurance Status in California From 1997 to 2014. JAMA Oncol 2019; 4:317-323. [PMID: 29192307 DOI: 10.1001/jamaoncol.2017.3846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 120] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Importance There have been substantial improvements in the early detection, treatment, and survival from cancer in the United States, but it is not clear to what extent patients with different types of health insurance have benefitted from these advancements. Objective To examine trends in cancer survival by health insurance status from January 1997 to December 2014. Design, Setting, and Participants California Cancer Registry (a statewide cancer surveillance system) data were used to estimate population-based survival by health insurance status in 3 calendar periods: January 1997 to December 2002, January 2003 to December 2008, and January 2009 to December 2014 with follow-up through 2014. Overall, 1 149 891 patients diagnosed with breast, prostate, colorectal, or lung cancer, or melanoma in California were included in the study. Main Outcomes and Measures Five-year all-cause and cancer-specific survival probabilities by insurance category and calendar period for each cancer site and sex; hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% CIs for each insurance category (none, Medicare, other public) compared with private insurance in each calendar period. Results According to data from 1 149 891 patients diagnosed with breast, prostate, colorectal, or lung cancer, or melanoma gathered from the California Cancer Registry, improvements in survival were almost exclusively limited to patients with private or Medicare insurance. For patients with other public or no insurance, survival was largely unchanged or declined. Relative to privately insured patients, cancer-specific mortality was higher in uninsured patients for all cancers except prostate, and disparities were largest from 2009 to 2014 for breast (HR, 1.72; 95% CI, 1.45-2.03), lung (men: HR, 1.18; 95% CI, 1.06-1.31 and women: HR, 1.32; 95% CI, 1.15-1.50), and colorectal cancer (women: HR, 1.30; 95% CI, 1.05-1.62). Mortality was also higher for patients with other public insurance for all cancers except lung, and disparities were largest from 2009 to 2014 for breast (HR, 1.25; 95% CI, 1.17-1.34), prostate (HR, 1.17; 95% CI, 1.04-1.31), and colorectal cancer (men: HR, 1.16; 95% CI, 1.08-1.23 and women: HR, 1.11; 95% CI, 1.03-1.20). Conclusions and Relevance After accounting for patient and clinical characteristics, survival disparities for men with prostate cancer and women with lung or colorectal cancer increased significantly over time, reflecting a lack of improvement in survival for patients with other public or no insurance. To mitigate these growing disparities, all patients with cancer need access to health insurance that covers all the necessary elements of health care, from prevention and early detection to timely treatment according to clinical guidelines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Libby Ellis
- Cancer Prevention Institute of California, Fremont.,Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford, California
| | | | - David Spiegel
- Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford, California.,Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California
| | - Uri Ladabaum
- Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford, California.,Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California
| | - Robert Haile
- Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California
| | - Scarlett Lin Gomez
- Cancer Prevention Institute of California, Fremont.,University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco
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Fei FR, Hu RY, Gong WW, Pan J, Wang M. Analysis of Mortality and Survival Rate of Liver Cancer in Zhejiang Province in China: A General Population-Based Study. Can J Gastroenterol Hepatol 2019; 2019:1074286. [PMID: 31360693 PMCID: PMC6652059 DOI: 10.1155/2019/1074286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2019] [Accepted: 07/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Few accurate up-to-date studies provide liver cancer mortality and survival information in Zhejiang province. This research aimed to depict the mortality and survival of liver cancer in Zhejiang province in China during 2005-2010. Methods The data were collected from the Zhejiang Chronic Disease Surveillance Information and Management System, and the mortality rates of liver cancer were calculated by gender, age, and areas. Chinese population census in 2000 and Segi's world population were used for age-standardized mortality rate. The observed and relative survival rates of liver cancer patients were analyzed. Results The crude mortality rate of liver cancer was 32.11/105. The age-standardized mortality rate was 17.39/105 and 23.07/105 by Chinese population (ASIRC) and Segi's world population (ASIRW), respectively. The crude liver cancer mortality rate and age-standardized rate in urban areas were lower than those of rural areas. The overall 1-, 3-, and 5-year observed survival (OS) rates of liver cancer patients were 38.61%, 21.65%, and 16.83%, respectively. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year relative survival (RS) rates of liver cancer patients were 39.49%, 23.27%, and 19.09%, respectively. Survival rate decreased obviously within 1 to 5 years and then leveled off. It was shown that the male overall survival rate was higher than the female one and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). Conclusions Both lower mortality and better survival rates were observed in urban areas, compared to rural areas. Relevant parties including government, public resource, and propaganda department should devote enough attention to rural areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fang-Rong Fei
- Department of Noncommunicable Control and Prevention, Zhejiang Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 3399 Binsheng Road, Hangzhou 310051, China
| | - Ru-Ying Hu
- Department of Noncommunicable Control and Prevention, Zhejiang Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 3399 Binsheng Road, Hangzhou 310051, China
| | - Wei-Wei Gong
- Department of Noncommunicable Control and Prevention, Zhejiang Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 3399 Binsheng Road, Hangzhou 310051, China
| | - Jin Pan
- Department of Noncommunicable Control and Prevention, Zhejiang Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 3399 Binsheng Road, Hangzhou 310051, China
| | - Meng Wang
- Department of Noncommunicable Control and Prevention, Zhejiang Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 3399 Binsheng Road, Hangzhou 310051, China
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Prieto D, Soto-Ferrari M, Tija R, Peña L, Burke L, Miller L, Berndt K, Hill B, Haghsenas J, Maltz E, White E, Atwood M, Norman E. Literature review of data-based models for identification of factors associated with racial disparities in breast cancer mortality. Health Syst (Basingstoke) 2018; 8:75-98. [PMID: 31275571 PMCID: PMC6598506 DOI: 10.1080/20476965.2018.1440925] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2016] [Revised: 01/29/2018] [Accepted: 02/08/2018] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
In the United States, early detection methods have contributed to the reduction of overall breast cancer mortality but this pattern has not been observed uniformly across all racial groups. A vast body of research literature shows a set of health care, socio-economic, biological, physical, and behavioural factors influencing the mortality disparity. In this paper, we review the modelling frameworks, statistical tests, and databases used in understanding influential factors, and we discuss the factors documented in the modelling literature. Our findings suggest that disparities research relies on conventional modelling and statistical tools for quantitative analysis, and there exist opportunities to implement data-based modelling frameworks for (1) exploring mechanisms triggering disparities, (2) increasing the collection of behavioural data, and (3) monitoring factors associated with the mortality disparity across time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana Prieto
- College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI, USA
- Johns Hopkins Carey Business School, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Milton Soto-Ferrari
- College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI, USA
- Department of Marketing and Operations, Scott College of Business, Terre Haute, IN, USA
| | - Rindy Tija
- College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI, USA
| | - Lorena Peña
- College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI, USA
| | - Leandra Burke
- Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine, Kalamazoo, MI, USA
| | - Lisa Miller
- Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine, Kalamazoo, MI, USA
| | - Kelsey Berndt
- Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine, Kalamazoo, MI, USA
| | - Brian Hill
- Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine, Kalamazoo, MI, USA
| | - Jafar Haghsenas
- Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine, Kalamazoo, MI, USA
| | - Ethan Maltz
- Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine, Kalamazoo, MI, USA
| | - Evan White
- Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine, Kalamazoo, MI, USA
| | - Maggie Atwood
- Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine, Kalamazoo, MI, USA
| | - Earl Norman
- Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine, Kalamazoo, MI, USA
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DeRouen MC, Parsons HM, Kent EE, Pollock BH, Keegan THM. Sociodemographic disparities in survival for adolescents and young adults with cancer differ by health insurance status. Cancer Causes Control 2017; 28:841-851. [PMID: 28660357 PMCID: PMC5572560 DOI: 10.1007/s10552-017-0914-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2016] [Accepted: 06/19/2017] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To investigate associations of sociodemographic factors-race/ethnicity, neighborhood socioeconomic status (SES), and health insurance-with survival for adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with invasive cancer. METHODS Data on 80,855 AYAs with invasive cancer diagnosed in California 2001-2011 were obtained from the California Cancer Registry. We used multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression to estimate overall survival. RESULTS Associations of public or no insurance with greater risk of death were observed for 11 of 12 AYA cancers examined. Compared to Whites, Blacks experienced greater risk of death, regardless of age or insurance, while greater risk of death among Hispanics and Asians was more apparent for younger AYAs and for those with private/military insurance. More pronounced neighborhood SES disparities in survival were observed among AYAs with private/military insurance, especially among younger AYAs. CONCLUSIONS Lacking or having public insurance was consistently associated with shorter survival, while disparities according to race/ethnicity and neighborhood SES were greater among AYAs with private/military insurance. While health insurance coverage associates with survival, remaining racial/ethnic and socioeconomic disparities among AYAs with cancer suggest additional social factors also need consideration in intervention and policy development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mindy C DeRouen
- Cancer Prevention Institute of California, 2201 Walnut Ave, Suite 300, Fremont, CA, 94538, USA.
| | - Helen M Parsons
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA
| | - Erin E Kent
- Outcomes Research Branch, Healthcare Delivery Research Program, Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, 9609 Medical Center Drive, Rockville, MD, 20850, USA
| | - Brad H Pollock
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of California, One Shields Avenue, Med Sci 1-C, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
| | - Theresa H M Keegan
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center, 4501 X Street, Suite 3016, Sacramento, CA, 95817, USA
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Gorey KM, Hamm C, Luginaah IN, Zou G, Holowaty EJ. Breast Cancer Care in California and Ontario: Primary Care Protections Greatest Among the Most Socioeconomically Vulnerable Women Living in the Most Underserved Places. J Prim Care Community Health 2017; 8:127-134. [PMID: 28068854 PMCID: PMC5423779 DOI: 10.1177/2150131916686284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Better health care among Canada's socioeconomically vulnerable versus America's has not been fully explained. We examined the effects of poverty, health insurance and the supply of primary care physicians on breast cancer care. METHODS We analyzed breast cancer data in Ontario (n = 950) and California (n = 6300) between 1996 and 2000 and followed until 2014. We obtained socioeconomic data from censuses, oversampling the poor. We obtained data on the supply of physicians, primary care and specialists. The optimal care criterion was being diagnosed early with node negative disease and received breast conserving surgery followed by adjuvant radiation therapy. RESULTS Women in Ontario received more optimal care in communities well supplied by primary care physicians. They were particularly advantaged in the most disadvantaged places: high poverty neighborhoods (rate ratio = 1.65) and communities lacking specialist physicians (rate ratio = 1.33). Canadian advantages were explained by better health insurance coverage and greater primary care access. CONCLUSIONS Policy makers ought to ensure that the newly insured are adequately insured. The Medicaid program should be expanded, as intended, across all 50 states. Strengthening America's system of primary care will probably be the best way to ensure that the Affordable Care Act's full benefits are realized.
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Felder TM, Do DP, Lu ZK, Lal LS, Heiney SP, Bennett CL. Racial differences in receipt of adjuvant hormonal therapy among Medicaid enrollees in South Carolina diagnosed with breast cancer. Breast Cancer Res Treat 2016; 157:193-200. [PMID: 27120468 DOI: 10.1007/s10549-016-3803-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2016] [Accepted: 04/19/2016] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Several factors contribute to the pervasive Black-White disparity in breast cancer mortality in the U.S., such as tumor biology, access to care, and treatments received including adjuvant hormonal therapy (AHT), which significantly improves survival for hormone receptor-positive breast cancers (HR+). We analyzed South Carolina Central Cancer Registry-Medicaid linked data to determine if, in an equal access health care system, racial differences in the receipt of AHT exist. We evaluated 494 study-eligible, Black (n = 255) and White women (n = 269) who were under 65 years old and diagnosed with stages I-III, HR+ breast cancers between 2004 and 2007. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to assess receipt of ≥1 AHT prescriptions at any point in time following (ever-use) or within 12 months of (early-use) breast cancer diagnosis. Seventy-two percent of the participants were ever-users (70 % Black, 74 % White) and 68 % were early-users (65 % Black, 71 % White) of AHT. Neither ever-use (adjusted OR (AOR) = 0.75, 95 % CI 0.48-1.17) nor early-use (AOR = 0.70, 95 % CI 0.46-1.06) of AHT differed by race. However, receipt of other breast cancer-specific treatments was independently associated with ever-use and early-use of AHT [ever-use: receipt of surgery (AOR = 2.15, 95 % CI 1.35-3.44); chemotherapy (AOR = 1.97, 95 % CI 1.22-3.20); radiation (AOR = 2.33, 95 % CI 1.50-3.63); early-use: receipt of surgery (AOR = 2.03, 95 % CI 1.30-3.17); chemotherapy (AOR = 1.90, 95 % CI 1.20-3.03); radiation (AOR = 1.73, 95 % CI 1.14-2.63)]. No racial variations in use of AHT among women with HR+ breast cancers insured by Medicaid in South Carolina were identified, but overall rates of AHT use by these women is low. Strategies to improve overall use of AHT should include targeting breast cancer patients who do not receive adjuvant chemotherapy and/or radiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tisha M Felder
- College of Nursing, University of South Carolina, 1601 Greene Street, Room 620, Columbia, SC, 29208, USA.
- Cancer Prevention and Control Program, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, 915 Greene Street, Suite 200, Columbia, SC, 29208, USA.
| | - D Phuong Do
- Public Health Policy and Administration, Zilber School of Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, 1240 N. 10th Street, Milwaukee, WI, 53201, USA
| | - Z Kevin Lu
- Clinical Pharmacy and Outcomes Sciences, South Carolina College of Pharmacy, University of South Carolina, 715 Sumter Street, Columbia, SC, 29208, USA
| | - Lincy S Lal
- Management, Policy & Community Health, University of Texas School of Public Health, University of Texas Health Science Center, 1200 Herman Pressler Drive, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Sue P Heiney
- College of Nursing, University of South Carolina, 1601 Greene Street, Room 617, Columbia, SC, 29208, USA
| | - Charles L Bennett
- Clinical Pharmacy and Outcomes Sciences, South Carolina College of Pharmacy, University of South Carolina, 715 Sumter Street, Columbia, SC, 29208, USA
- SmartState Center for Medication Safety and Efficacy, University of South Carolina, 715 Sumter Street, Columbia, SC, 29208, USA
- Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, 86 Jonathan Lucas Street, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA
- Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, 921 Assembly St, Columbia, SC, 29201, USA
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Haji-Jama S, Gorey KM, Luginaah IN, Zou G, Hamm C, Holowaty EJ. Disparities Report: Disparities Among Minority Women With Breast Cancer Living in Impoverished Areas of California. Cancer Control 2016; 23:157-62. [PMID: 27218793 PMCID: PMC4882162 DOI: 10.1177/107327481602300210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Interaction effects of poverty and health care insurance coverage on overall survival rates of breast cancer among women of color and non-Hispanic white women were explored. METHODS We analyzed California registry data for 2,024 women of color (black, Hispanic, Asian, Pacific Islander, American Indian, or other ethnicity) and 4,276 non-Hispanic white women (Anglo-European ancestries and no Hispanic-Latin ethnic backgrounds) diagnosed with breast cancer between the years 1996 and 2000 who were then followed until 2011. The 2000 US census categorized rates of neighborhood poverty. Health care insurance coverage was either private, Medicare, Medicaid, or none. Cox regression was used to model rates of survival. RESULTS A 3-way interaction between ethnicity, health care insurance coverage, and poverty was observed. Women of color inadequately insured and living in poor or near-poor neighborhoods in California were the most disadvantaged. Women of color adequately insured and who lived in such neighborhoods in California were also disadvantaged. The incomes of such women of color were typically lower than the incomes of non-Hispanic white women. CONCLUSIONS Women of color with or without insurance coverage are disadvantaged in poor and near-poor neighborhoods of California. Such women may be less able to bare the indirect, direct, or uncovered costs of health care for breast cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sundus Haji-Jama
- School of Social Work, University of Windsor, Ontario, Canada N9B 3P4.
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The Influences of Health Insurance and Access to Information on Prostate Cancer Screening among Men in Dominican Republic. J Cancer Epidemiol 2016; 2016:7284303. [PMID: 27034669 PMCID: PMC4806283 DOI: 10.1155/2016/7284303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2015] [Revised: 01/07/2016] [Accepted: 02/08/2016] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives. Although research demonstrates the public health burden of prostate cancer among men in the Caribbean, relatively little is known about the factors that underlie the low levels of testing for the disease among this population. Study Design. A cross-sectional study of prostate cancer testing behaviours among men aged 40–60 years in Dominican Republic using the Demographic and Health Survey (2013). Methods. We use hierarchical binary logit regression models and average treatment effects combined with propensity score matching to explore the determinants of prostate screening as well as the average effect of health insurance coverage on screening. The use of hierarchical binary logit regression enabled us to control for the effect of unobserved heterogeneity at the cluster level that may affect prostate cancer testing behaviours. Results. Screening varied significantly with health insurance coverage, knowledge of cholesterol level, education, and wealth. Insured men were more likely to test for prostate cancer (OR = 1.65, p = 0.01) compared to the uninsured. Conclusions. The expansion and restructuring of Dominican Republic universal health insurance scheme to ensure equity in access may improve health access that would potentially impact positively on prostate cancer screening among men.
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Kangmennaang J, Mkandawire P, Luginaah I. What Prevents Men Aged 40-64 Years from Prostate Cancer Screening in Namibia? J Cancer Epidemiol 2016; 2016:7962502. [PMID: 26880917 PMCID: PMC4736914 DOI: 10.1155/2016/7962502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2015] [Revised: 12/12/2015] [Accepted: 12/16/2015] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives. Although a growing body of evidence demonstrates the public health burden of prostate cancer in SSA, relatively little is known about the underlying factors surrounding the low levels of testing for the disease in the context of this region. Using Namibia Demographic Health Survey dataset (NDHS, 2013), we examined the factors that influence men's decision to screen for prostate cancer in Namibia. Methods. We use complementary log-log regression models to explore the determinants of screening for prostate cancer. We also corrected for the effect of unobserved heterogeneity that may affect screening behaviours at the cluster level. Results. The results show that health insurance coverage (OR = 2.95, p = 0.01) is an important predictor of screening for prostate cancer in Namibia. In addition, higher education and discussing reproductive issues with a health worker (OR = 2.02, p = 0.05) were more likely to screening for prostate cancer. Conclusions. A universal health insurance scheme may be necessary to increase uptake of prostate cancer screening. However it needs to be acknowledged that expanded screening can have negative consequences and any allocation of scarce resources towards screening must be guided by evidence obtained from the local context about the costs and benefits of screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph Kangmennaang
- Department of Geography and Environment, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, ON, Canada N2L 3G1
| | - Paul Mkandawire
- The Institute of Interdisciplinary Studies, 2201 Dunton Tower, 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, ON, Canada K1S 5B6
| | - Isaac Luginaah
- Department of Geography, Western University, 1151 Richmond Street, London, ON, Canada N6A 5C2
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Gorey KM, Kanjeekal SM, Wright FC, Hamm C, Luginaah IN, Bartfay E, Zou G, Holowaty EJ, Richter NL. Colon cancer care and survival: income and insurance are more predictive in the USA, community primary care physician supply more so in Canada. Int J Equity Health 2015; 14:109. [PMID: 26511360 PMCID: PMC4625439 DOI: 10.1186/s12939-015-0246-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2015] [Accepted: 10/15/2015] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Our research group advanced a health insurance theory to explain Canada's cancer care advantages over America. The late Barbara Starfield theorized that Canada's greater primary care-orientation also plays a critically protective role. We tested the resultant Starfield-Gorey theory by examining the effects of poverty, health insurance and physician supplies, primary care and specialists, on colon cancer care in Ontario and California. METHODS We analyzed registry data for people with non-metastasized colon cancer from Ontario (n = 2,060) and California (n = 4,574) diagnosed between 1996 and 2000 and followed to 2010. We obtained census tract-based socioeconomic data from population censuses and data on county-level physician supplies from national repositories: primary care physicians, gastroenterologists and other specialists. High poverty neighborhoods were oversampled and the criterion was 10 year survival. Hypotheses were explored with standardized rate ratios (RR) and tested with logistic regression models. RESULTS Significant inverse associations of poverty (RR = 0.79) and inadequate health insurance (RR = 0.80) with survival were observed in the California, while they were non-significant or non-existent in Ontario. The direct associations of primary care physician (RRs of 1.32 versus 1.11) and gastroenterologist (RRs of 1.56 versus 1.15) supplies with survival were both stronger in Ontario than California. The supply of primary care physicians took precedence. Probably mediated through the initial course of treatment, it largely explained the Canadian advantage. CONCLUSIONS Poverty and health insurance were more predictive in the USA, community physician supplies more so in Canada. Canada's primary care protections were greatest among the most socioeconomically vulnerable. The protective effects of Canadian health care prior to enactment of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) clearly suggested the following. Notwithstanding the importance of insuring all, strengthening America's system of primary care will probably be the best way to ensure that the ACA's full benefits are realized. Finally, Canada's strong primary care system ought to be maintained.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin M Gorey
- School of Social Work, University of Windsor, 401 Sunset Avenue, Windsor, Ontario, N9B 3P4, Canada.
| | - Sindu M Kanjeekal
- Department of Oncology, Windsor Regional Cancer Center and Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada.
| | - Frances C Wright
- Division of General Surgery, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Center and cross appointed Departments of Surgery and Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
| | - Caroline Hamm
- Department of Oncology, Windsor Regional Cancer Center and Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada.
| | - Isaac N Luginaah
- Department of Geography, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada.
| | - Emma Bartfay
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ontario Institute of Technology, Oshawa, Ontario, Canada.
| | - Guangyong Zou
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics and Robarts Research Institute, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada.
| | - Eric J Holowaty
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
| | - Nancy L Richter
- School of Social Work, University of Windsor, Ontario, Canada.
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Richter NL, Gorey KM, Haji-Jama S, Luginaah IN. Care and survival of Mexican American women with node negative breast cancer: historical cohort evidence of health insurance and barrio advantages. J Immigr Minor Health 2015; 17:652-9. [PMID: 24155037 PMCID: PMC3911961 DOI: 10.1007/s10903-013-9941-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
We hypothesized 3-way ethnicity by barrio by health insurance interactions such that the advantages of having adequate health insurance were greatest among Mexican American (MA) women who lived in barrios. Barrios were neighborhoods with relatively high concentrations of MAs (60% or more). Data were analyzed for 194 MA and 2,846 non-Hispanic white women diagnosed with, very treatable, node negative breast cancer in California between 1996 and 2000 and followed until 2011. Significant interactions were observed such that the protective effects of Medicare or private health insurance on radiation therapy access and long term survival were largest for MA women who resided in MA barrios, neighborhoods that also tended to be extremely poor. These paradoxical findings are consistent with the theory that more facilitative social and economic capital available to MA women in barrios enables them to better absorb the indirect and direct, but uncovered, costs of breast cancer care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nancy L Richter
- School of Social Work, University of Windsor, 401 Sunset Avenue, Windsor, ON, N9B 3P4, Canada,
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Gorey KM, Richter NL, Luginaah IN, Hamm C, Holowaty EJ, Zou G, Balagurusamy MK. Breast Cancer among Women Living in Poverty: Better Care in Canada than in the United States. SOCIAL WORK RESEARCH 2015; 39:107-118. [PMID: 26180488 PMCID: PMC4500640 DOI: 10.1093/swr/svv006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2014] [Revised: 05/29/2014] [Accepted: 06/02/2014] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
This historical study estimated the protective effects of a universally accessible, single-payer health care system versus a multi-payer system that leaves many uninsured or underinsured by comparing breast cancer care of women living in high poverty neighborhoods in Ontario or California between 1996 and 2011. Women in Canada experienced better care particularly as compared to women who were inadequately insured in the United States. Women in Canada were diagnosed earlier (rate ratio [RR] = 1.12) and enjoyed better access to breast conserving surgery (RR = 1.48), radiation (RR = 1.60) and hormone therapies (RR = 1.78). Women living in high poverty Canadian neighborhoods even experienced shorter waits for surgery (RR = 0.58) and radiation therapy (RR = 0.44) than did such women in the US. Consequently, women in Canada were much more likely to survive longer. Regression analyses indicated that health insurance could explain most of the better care and better outcomes in Canada. Over this study's 15-year timeframe 31,500 late diagnoses, 94,500 sub-optimum treatment plans and 103,500 early deaths were estimated in high poverty US neighborhoods due to relatively inadequate health insurance coverage. Implications for social work practice, including advocacy for future reforms of US health care are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin M. Gorey
- Kevin M. Gorey, PhD, MSW, is professor, and Nancy L. Richter, MSW, is research associate, School of Social Work, University of Windsor, Windsor, Ontario, Canada. Isaac N. Luginaah, PhD, is professor, Department of Geography, and Caroline Hamm, MD, is medical oncologist and assistant professor, Windsor Regional Cancer Center and Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada. Eric J. Holowaty, MD, is professor, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto. Guangyong Zou, PhD, is professor and scientist, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, and Robarts Resarch Institute, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada. Madham K. Balagurusamy, MSc, is research associate, School of Social Work, University of Windsor, Windsor, Ontario, Canada. Address correspondence to Kevin M. Gorey, School of Social Work, University of Windsor, 401 Sunset Avenue, Windsor, ON Canada N9B 3P4; The authors gratefully acknowledge the administrative and logistical assistance of Kurt Snipes, Janet Bates, and Gretchen Agha of the Cancer Surveillance and Research Branch, California Department of Public Health. They also gratefully acknowledge the research, technical, and administrative assistance of Mark Allen, Allyn Fernandez-Ami, and Arti Parikh-Patel of the California Cancer Registry; Sundus Haji-Jama of the University of Windsor; and Charles Sagoe, who was with Cancer Care Ontario (CCO) at the time that this study's database was created
| | - Nancy L. Richter
- Kevin M. Gorey, PhD, MSW, is professor, and Nancy L. Richter, MSW, is research associate, School of Social Work, University of Windsor, Windsor, Ontario, Canada. Isaac N. Luginaah, PhD, is professor, Department of Geography, and Caroline Hamm, MD, is medical oncologist and assistant professor, Windsor Regional Cancer Center and Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada. Eric J. Holowaty, MD, is professor, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto. Guangyong Zou, PhD, is professor and scientist, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, and Robarts Resarch Institute, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada. Madham K. Balagurusamy, MSc, is research associate, School of Social Work, University of Windsor, Windsor, Ontario, Canada. Address correspondence to Kevin M. Gorey, School of Social Work, University of Windsor, 401 Sunset Avenue, Windsor, ON Canada N9B 3P4; The authors gratefully acknowledge the administrative and logistical assistance of Kurt Snipes, Janet Bates, and Gretchen Agha of the Cancer Surveillance and Research Branch, California Department of Public Health. They also gratefully acknowledge the research, technical, and administrative assistance of Mark Allen, Allyn Fernandez-Ami, and Arti Parikh-Patel of the California Cancer Registry; Sundus Haji-Jama of the University of Windsor; and Charles Sagoe, who was with Cancer Care Ontario (CCO) at the time that this study's database was created
| | - Isaac N. Luginaah
- Kevin M. Gorey, PhD, MSW, is professor, and Nancy L. Richter, MSW, is research associate, School of Social Work, University of Windsor, Windsor, Ontario, Canada. Isaac N. Luginaah, PhD, is professor, Department of Geography, and Caroline Hamm, MD, is medical oncologist and assistant professor, Windsor Regional Cancer Center and Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada. Eric J. Holowaty, MD, is professor, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto. Guangyong Zou, PhD, is professor and scientist, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, and Robarts Resarch Institute, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada. Madham K. Balagurusamy, MSc, is research associate, School of Social Work, University of Windsor, Windsor, Ontario, Canada. Address correspondence to Kevin M. Gorey, School of Social Work, University of Windsor, 401 Sunset Avenue, Windsor, ON Canada N9B 3P4; The authors gratefully acknowledge the administrative and logistical assistance of Kurt Snipes, Janet Bates, and Gretchen Agha of the Cancer Surveillance and Research Branch, California Department of Public Health. They also gratefully acknowledge the research, technical, and administrative assistance of Mark Allen, Allyn Fernandez-Ami, and Arti Parikh-Patel of the California Cancer Registry; Sundus Haji-Jama of the University of Windsor; and Charles Sagoe, who was with Cancer Care Ontario (CCO) at the time that this study's database was created
| | - Caroline Hamm
- Kevin M. Gorey, PhD, MSW, is professor, and Nancy L. Richter, MSW, is research associate, School of Social Work, University of Windsor, Windsor, Ontario, Canada. Isaac N. Luginaah, PhD, is professor, Department of Geography, and Caroline Hamm, MD, is medical oncologist and assistant professor, Windsor Regional Cancer Center and Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada. Eric J. Holowaty, MD, is professor, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto. Guangyong Zou, PhD, is professor and scientist, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, and Robarts Resarch Institute, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada. Madham K. Balagurusamy, MSc, is research associate, School of Social Work, University of Windsor, Windsor, Ontario, Canada. Address correspondence to Kevin M. Gorey, School of Social Work, University of Windsor, 401 Sunset Avenue, Windsor, ON Canada N9B 3P4; The authors gratefully acknowledge the administrative and logistical assistance of Kurt Snipes, Janet Bates, and Gretchen Agha of the Cancer Surveillance and Research Branch, California Department of Public Health. They also gratefully acknowledge the research, technical, and administrative assistance of Mark Allen, Allyn Fernandez-Ami, and Arti Parikh-Patel of the California Cancer Registry; Sundus Haji-Jama of the University of Windsor; and Charles Sagoe, who was with Cancer Care Ontario (CCO) at the time that this study's database was created
| | - Eric J. Holowaty
- Kevin M. Gorey, PhD, MSW, is professor, and Nancy L. Richter, MSW, is research associate, School of Social Work, University of Windsor, Windsor, Ontario, Canada. Isaac N. Luginaah, PhD, is professor, Department of Geography, and Caroline Hamm, MD, is medical oncologist and assistant professor, Windsor Regional Cancer Center and Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada. Eric J. Holowaty, MD, is professor, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto. Guangyong Zou, PhD, is professor and scientist, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, and Robarts Resarch Institute, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada. Madham K. Balagurusamy, MSc, is research associate, School of Social Work, University of Windsor, Windsor, Ontario, Canada. Address correspondence to Kevin M. Gorey, School of Social Work, University of Windsor, 401 Sunset Avenue, Windsor, ON Canada N9B 3P4; The authors gratefully acknowledge the administrative and logistical assistance of Kurt Snipes, Janet Bates, and Gretchen Agha of the Cancer Surveillance and Research Branch, California Department of Public Health. They also gratefully acknowledge the research, technical, and administrative assistance of Mark Allen, Allyn Fernandez-Ami, and Arti Parikh-Patel of the California Cancer Registry; Sundus Haji-Jama of the University of Windsor; and Charles Sagoe, who was with Cancer Care Ontario (CCO) at the time that this study's database was created
| | - Guangyong Zou
- Kevin M. Gorey, PhD, MSW, is professor, and Nancy L. Richter, MSW, is research associate, School of Social Work, University of Windsor, Windsor, Ontario, Canada. Isaac N. Luginaah, PhD, is professor, Department of Geography, and Caroline Hamm, MD, is medical oncologist and assistant professor, Windsor Regional Cancer Center and Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada. Eric J. Holowaty, MD, is professor, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto. Guangyong Zou, PhD, is professor and scientist, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, and Robarts Resarch Institute, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada. Madham K. Balagurusamy, MSc, is research associate, School of Social Work, University of Windsor, Windsor, Ontario, Canada. Address correspondence to Kevin M. Gorey, School of Social Work, University of Windsor, 401 Sunset Avenue, Windsor, ON Canada N9B 3P4; The authors gratefully acknowledge the administrative and logistical assistance of Kurt Snipes, Janet Bates, and Gretchen Agha of the Cancer Surveillance and Research Branch, California Department of Public Health. They also gratefully acknowledge the research, technical, and administrative assistance of Mark Allen, Allyn Fernandez-Ami, and Arti Parikh-Patel of the California Cancer Registry; Sundus Haji-Jama of the University of Windsor; and Charles Sagoe, who was with Cancer Care Ontario (CCO) at the time that this study's database was created
| | - Madham K. Balagurusamy
- Kevin M. Gorey, PhD, MSW, is professor, and Nancy L. Richter, MSW, is research associate, School of Social Work, University of Windsor, Windsor, Ontario, Canada. Isaac N. Luginaah, PhD, is professor, Department of Geography, and Caroline Hamm, MD, is medical oncologist and assistant professor, Windsor Regional Cancer Center and Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada. Eric J. Holowaty, MD, is professor, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto. Guangyong Zou, PhD, is professor and scientist, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, and Robarts Resarch Institute, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada. Madham K. Balagurusamy, MSc, is research associate, School of Social Work, University of Windsor, Windsor, Ontario, Canada. Address correspondence to Kevin M. Gorey, School of Social Work, University of Windsor, 401 Sunset Avenue, Windsor, ON Canada N9B 3P4; The authors gratefully acknowledge the administrative and logistical assistance of Kurt Snipes, Janet Bates, and Gretchen Agha of the Cancer Surveillance and Research Branch, California Department of Public Health. They also gratefully acknowledge the research, technical, and administrative assistance of Mark Allen, Allyn Fernandez-Ami, and Arti Parikh-Patel of the California Cancer Registry; Sundus Haji-Jama of the University of Windsor; and Charles Sagoe, who was with Cancer Care Ontario (CCO) at the time that this study's database was created
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van Harten MC, Hoebers FJP, Kross KW, van Werkhoven ED, van den Brekel MWM, van Dijk BAC. Determinants of treatment waiting times for head and neck cancer in the Netherlands and their relation to survival. Oral Oncol 2015; 51:272-8. [PMID: 25541458 DOI: 10.1016/j.oraloncology.2014.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 125] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2014] [Revised: 12/02/2014] [Accepted: 12/05/2014] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Michel C van Harten
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery and Oncology, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Frank J P Hoebers
- Department of Radiation Oncology (MAASTRO), Research Institute GROW, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Kenneth W Kross
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Erik D van Werkhoven
- Department of Biometrics, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Michiel W M van den Brekel
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery and Oncology, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Department of Phonetic Sciences, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Boukje A C van Dijk
- Department of Research, Comprehensive Cancer Centre The Netherlands (IKNL), Utrecht, The Netherlands; Department of Epidemiology, University of Groningen, University Medical Centre Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
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Levitz NR, Haji-Jama S, Munro T, Gorey KM, Luginaah IN, Bartfay E, Zou G, Wright FC, Kanjeekal SM, Hamm C, Balagurusamy MK, Holowaty EJ. Multiplicative disadvantage of being an unmarried and inadequately insured woman living in poverty with colon cancer: historical cohort exploration in California. BMC Womens Health 2015; 15:8. [PMID: 25783640 PMCID: PMC4333264 DOI: 10.1186/s12905-015-0166-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2014] [Accepted: 01/20/2015] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Many Americans diagnosed with colon cancer do not receive indicated chemotherapy. Certain unmarried women may be particularly disadvantaged. A 3-way interaction of the multiplicative disadvantages of being an unmarried and inadequately insured woman living in poverty was explored. METHODS California registry data were analyzed for 2,319 women diagnosed with stage II to IV colon cancer between 1996 and 2000 and followed until 2014. Socioeconomic data from the 2000 census classified neighborhoods as high poverty (≥30% of households poor), middle (5-29%) or low poverty (<5% poor). Primary health insurance was private, Medicare, Medicaid or none. Comparisons of chemotherapy rates used standardized rate ratios (RR). We respectively used logistic and Cox regression models to assess chemotherapy and survival. RESULTS A statistically significant 3-way marital status by health insurance by poverty interaction effect on chemotherapy receipt was observed. Chemotherapy rates did not differ between unmarried (39.0%) and married (39.7%) women who lived in lower poverty neighborhoods and were privately insured. But unmarried women (27.3%) were 26% less likely to receive chemotherapy than were married women (37.1%, RR = 0.74, 95% CI 0.58, 0.95) who lived in high poverty neighborhoods and were publicly insured or uninsured. When this interaction and the main effects of health insurance, poverty and chemotherapy were accounted for, survival did not differ by marital status. CONCLUSIONS The multiplicative barrier to colon cancer care that results from being inadequately insured and living in poverty is worse for unmarried than married women. Poverty is more prevalent among unmarried women and they have fewer assets so they are probably less able to absorb the indirect and direct, but uncovered, costs of colon cancer care. There seem to be structural inequities related to the institutions of marriage, work and health care that particularly disadvantage unmarried women that policy makers ought to be cognizant of as future reforms of the American health care system are considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naomi R Levitz
- />School of Social Work, University of Windsor, Windsor, Ontario Canada
| | - Sundus Haji-Jama
- />Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario Canada
| | - Tonya Munro
- />School of Social Work, University of Windsor, Windsor, Canada
| | - Kevin M Gorey
- />School of Social Work, University of Windsor, Windsor, Canada
| | - Isaac N Luginaah
- />Department of Geography, Western University, London, Ontario Canada
| | - Emma Bartfay
- />Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ontario Institute of Technology, Oshawa, Ontario Canada
| | - Guangyong Zou
- />Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, and Robarts Research Institute, Western University, London, Ontario Canada
| | - Frances C Wright
- />Division of General Surgery, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Center and Departments of Surgery and Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario Canada
| | - Sindu M Kanjeekal
- />Medical Oncology Department, Windsor Regional Cancer Center, Windsor, Ontario Canada
| | - Caroline Hamm
- />Medical Oncology Department, Windsor Regional Cancer Center and School of Medicine and Dentistry, Department of Oncology, Western University, London, Canada
| | | | - Eric J Holowaty
- />Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario Canada
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Gorey KM, Haji-Jama S, Bartfay E, Luginaah IN, Wright FC, Kanjeekal SM. Lack of access to chemotherapy for colon cancer: multiplicative disadvantage of being extremely poor, inadequately insured and African American. BMC Health Serv Res 2014; 14:133. [PMID: 24655931 PMCID: PMC3973249 DOI: 10.1186/1472-6963-14-133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2013] [Accepted: 03/05/2014] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Despite evidence of chemotherapy’s ability to cure or comfort those with colon cancer, nearly half of such Americans do not receive it. African Americans (AA) seem particularly disadvantaged. An ethnicity by poverty by health insurance interaction was hypothesized such that the multiplicative disadvantage of being extremely poor and inadequately insured is worse for AAs than for non-Hispanic white Americans (NHWA). Methods California registry data were analyzed for 459 AAs and 3,001 NHWAs diagnosed with stage II to IV colon cancer between 1996 and 2000 and followed until 2011. Socioeconomic data from the 2000 census categorized neighborhoods: extremely poor (≥ 30% of households poor), middle (5-29% poor) and low poverty (< 5% poor). Participants were randomly selected from these poverty strata. Primary health insurers were Medicaid, Medicare, private or none. Chemotherapy rates were age and stage-adjusted and comparisons used standardized rate ratios (RR). Logistic and Cox regressions, respectively, modeled chemotherapy receipt and long term survival. Results A significant 3-way ethnicity by poverty by health insurance interaction effect on chemotherapy receipt was observed. Among those who did not live in extremely poor neighborhoods and were adequately insured privately or by Medicare, chemotherapy rates did not differ significantly between AAs (37.7%) and NHWAs (39.5%). Among those who lived in extremely poor neighborhoods and were inadequately insured by Medicaid or uninsured, AAs (14.6%) were nearly 60% less likely to receive chemotherapy than were NHWAs (25.5%, RR = 0.41). When the 3-way interaction effect as well as the main effects of poverty, health insurance and chemotherapy was accounted for, survival rates of AAs and NHWAs were the same. Conclusions The multiplicative barrier to colon cancer care that results from being extremely poor and inadequately insured is worse for AAs than it is for NHWAs. AAs are more prevalently poor, inadequately insured, and have fewer assets so they are probably less able to absorb the indirect and direct, but uncovered, costs of colon cancer care. Policy makers ought to be cognizant of these factors as they implement the Affordable Care Act and consider future health care reforms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin M Gorey
- School of Social Work, University of Windsor, 401 Sunset Avenue, Windsor, Ontario N9B, 3P4, Canada.
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Haji-Jama S, Gorey KM, Luginaah IN, Balagurusamy MK, Hamm C. Health insurance mediation of the Mexican American non-Hispanic white disparity on early breast cancer diagnosis. SPRINGERPLUS 2013; 2:285. [PMID: 23853754 PMCID: PMC3706732 DOI: 10.1186/2193-1801-2-285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2013] [Accepted: 05/16/2013] [Indexed: 02/15/2023]
Abstract
We examined health insurance mediation of the Mexican American (MA) non-Hispanic white (NHW) disparity on early breast cancer diagnosis. Based on social capital and barrio advantage theories, we hypothesized a 3-way ethnicity by poverty by health insurance interaction, that is, that 2-way poverty by health insurance interaction effects would differ between ethnic groups. We secondarily analyzed registry data for 303 MA and 3,611 NHW women diagnosed with breast cancer between 1996 and 2000 who were originally followed until 2011. Predictors of early, node negative (NN) disease at diagnosis were analyzed. Socioeconomic data were obtained from the 2000 census to categorize neighborhood poverty: high (30% or more of the census tract households were poor), middle (5% to 29% poor) and low (less than 5% poor). Barrios were neighborhoods where 50% or more of the residents were MA. Primary health insurers were Medicaid, Medicare, private or none. MA women were 13% less likely to be diagnosed early with NN disease (RR = 0.87), but this MA-NHW disparity was completely mediated by the main and interacting effects of health insurance. Advantages of health insurance were largest in low poverty neighborhoods among NHW women (RR = 1.20) while among MA women they were, paradoxically, largest in high poverty, MA barrios (RR = 1.45). Advantages of being privately insured were observed for all. Medicare seemed additionally instrumental for NHW women and Medicaid for MA women. These findings are consistent with the theory that more facilitative social and economic capital is available to MA women in barrios and to NHW women in more affluent neighborhoods. It is there that each respective group of women is probably best able to absorb the indirect and direct, but uncovered, costs of breast cancer screening and diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sundus Haji-Jama
- />School of Social Work, University of Windsor, 401 Sunset Avenue, Windsor, Ontario N9B 3P4 Canada
| | - Kevin M Gorey
- />School of Social Work, University of Windsor, 401 Sunset Avenue, Windsor, Ontario N9B 3P4 Canada
| | - Isaac N Luginaah
- />Department of Geography, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario Canada
| | - Madhan K Balagurusamy
- />School of Social Work, University of Windsor, 401 Sunset Avenue, Windsor, Ontario N9B 3P4 Canada
| | - Caroline Hamm
- />Windsor Regional Cancer Center, Windsor, Ontario Canada
- />Department of Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario Canada
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Lopert R, Elshaug AG. Australia’s ‘Fourth Hurdle’ Drug Review Comparing Costs And Benefits Holds Lessons For The United States. Health Aff (Millwood) 2013; 32:778-87. [DOI: 10.1377/hlthaff.2012.1058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ruth Lopert
- Ruth Lopert ( ) recently returned to a senior role in the Therapeutic Goods Administration, in Canberra, Australia. At the time this article was written, she was a visiting professor in the Department of Health Policy at the George Washington University, in Washington, D.C
| | - Adam G. Elshaug
- Adam G. Elshaug is the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council’s Sidney Sax Public Health Fellow in the Department of Health Care Policy at Harvard Medical School, in Boston, Massachusetts. He holds a joint appointment as inaugural visiting fellow at the Commonwealth Fund, New York City
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