Our summary
Socioeconomic status (SES) defines an individual’s or an area’s rank in a societal hierarchy, anchored in factors like wealth, esteem, and influence. A lower SES, whether at the individual or area level, corresponds to unfavorable outcomes in cancer. Previous studies exploring this have primarily concentrated on specific subgroups (e.g., certain cancers, older populations) and have employed less comprehensive measures of area-level SES (e.g., count income) that disregard the multifaceted aspects of SES. Furthermore, to our knowledge, none of these studies have explored the inequities encountered by cancer patients during the COVID-19 pandemic - an era that has intensified health inequalities.
In this study, researchers present an updated, inclusive, and discerning evaluation of area-level SES and its potential impact on inequities in treatment and survival among adult patients undergoing care for 20 of the most common cancers.
Why this matters
This study highlights the significant role area-level SES plays in driving inequities in cancer treatment and outcomes in the US. To enhance cancer care in low-SES neighborhoods, it's pivotal for policymakers to adopt a multi-tiered strategy from improving point-of-care services to federal interventions addressing healthcare system neglect in marginalized areas.