Disparities in Cancer Outcomes Persist Due to Socioeconomic Status

Strategic Insights -

A recent study by researchers from Duke University has shed light on the disparities in cancer outcomes among patients from low socioeconomic status neighborhoods in the United States. The study, which analyzed data from 266,269 hospital admissions, found that patients from neighborhoods with lower socioeconomic status had higher mortality rates and less access to healthcare services, cultural barriers, and neighborhood socioeconomic status.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study revealed significant associations between neighborhood socioeconomic status and mortality in patients with cancer in the U.S., with patients from low socioeconomic status neighborhoods exhibiting higher mortality rates (adjusted odds ratio 1.06 [95% confidence interval 1.01, 1.12]) compared to patients from higher socioeconomic status neighborhoods.
  • The study also found that patients from low socioeconomic status neighborhoods had less access to healthcare services, with 30.2% fewer teaching hospitals, 16.4% more public hospitals, and 66 fewer primary care providers compared to higher socioeconomic status neighborhoods.
  • The researchers concluded that understanding the interplay between neighborhood socioeconomic status and oncologic outcomes is crucial for developing targeted interventions to provide equitable oncology care.

Statistics:

  • The study analyzed data from 266,269 hospital admissions.
  • Patients from low socioeconomic status neighborhoods had higher mortality rates, with an adjusted odds ratio of 1.06 [95% confidence interval 1.01, 1.12].
  • Patients from low socioeconomic status neighborhoods had less access to healthcare services, with:

+ 30.2% fewer teaching hospitals compared to higher socioeconomic status neighborhoods.

+ 16.4% more public hospitals compared to higher socioeconomic status neighborhoods.

+ 66 fewer primary care providers compared to higher socioeconomic status neighborhoods.

Sources:

  • Shenoy, D. A., et al. (2025). Associations between neighborhood socioeconomic status, readmission, and mortality for patients with cancer: A nationwide cohort study. Cancer Epidemiology, 98, 102907.
  • Elsevier Sci Ltd. (Publisher). (n.d.). Cancer Epidemiology. Retrieved from
  • Duke University. (n.d.). News. Retrieved from