Geospatial Disparities in Cancer Care Among Low-Income Communities

• In Event: 41026 - Social Determinants of Health

Abstract

Cancer remains one of the leading causes of death worldwide, disproportionately impacting low-income communities and exacerbating existing health disparities. While advances in early detection, treatment, and survivorship care have improved outcomes for some, significant disparities persist, especially for economically disadvantaged populations. Studies on health insurance accessibility and cancer outcomes have revealed that patients enrolled in Medicaid are diagnosed at a more advanced cancer stage, receive less guidance on care, and experience worse health outcomes. In addition to insurance coverage, geospatial accessibility and proximity to healthcare facilities are also critical factors in determining healthcare access. Geospatial disparities in cancer care continue to contribute significantly to inequalities in cancer outcomes, particularly among low-income and underserved populations. This paper aims to determine whether low-income neighborhoods face greater challenges in accessing healthcare compared to higher-income areas and how these accessibility issues contribute to poorer cancer outcomes using the SEER-Medicaid data (1999-2009). This research leverages this dataset to conduct geospatial analysis, including Local Moran’s I test, to map and identify “hot spots” of cancer disparities. Once the hotspot areas are identified, data on oncology and cancer centers or services will be integrated into the analysis to evaluate whether these regions have limited accessibility to cancer care facilities. This research will serve as an essential tool for policymakers and healthcare providers to understand the geographic distribution of cancer disparities and inform targeted interventions to address these inequalities.

Author

• Kristine J Hahm, University of Texas at Dallas