Financial Protection Strategies for Cancer and Special Diseases Patients Revealed in New Research

Strategic Insights -

A new study by researchers at the Iran University of Medical Sciences has highlighted the urgent need for financial protection strategies for patients with cancer or special diseases in health systems. The research, published in Health Research Policy and Systems, aimed to identify existing strategies for financial protection for patients with cancer or special diseases in health systems. The study found that prepaid mechanisms are the most widely used main component of financial protection for these patients, but policy-makers and healthcare stakeholders must prioritize adaptable and context-specific solutions that account for local economic, social, and healthcare realities.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study identified seven main types of strategies for financial protection in health systems, including purchasing, prepaid mechanisms, financial support, benefits packages, infrastructure and facilities, intersectoral collaboration, and economic support.
  • Prepaid mechanisms are the most widely used main component of financial protection for patients with cancer and special diseases, but there is an urgent need for targeted financial protection strategies.
  • The study found that patients with diseases such as haemophilia, thalassemia, dialysis, renal replacement therapy, and multiple sclerosis are particularly vulnerable to catastrophic health spending and impoverishment.
  • The research emphasized the importance of adaptable and context-specific solutions that take into account local economic, social, and healthcare realities.
  • The study also highlighted the need for intersectoral collaboration and economic support to ensure access to health services for patients with cancer or special diseases.
  • According to the researchers, the Iran University of Medical Sciences, "Diseases such as haemophilia, thalassemia, dialysis, renal replacement therapy and multiple sclerosis (MS) are among the list of special diseases in Iran."

Statistics:

  • 4625 articles were found in the literature review, but only 17 were ultimately included in the final analysis.
  • The study utilized the Arksey and O'Malley framework, and the population-context-concept model to review publications related to financial protection for patients with cancer or special diseases from 2000 to 2024.
  • The researchers searched three databases (PubMed, Institute for Scientific Information (ISI) Web of Science and Scopus) and two search engines (Google and Google Scholar).

Sources:

  • Health Research Policy and Systems (2025;23(1):121)
  • Iran University of Medical Sciences (Tehran, Iran)
  • Vahid Makhtoomi, Health Management and Economics Research Center, Health Management Research Institute, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  • Pouran Raeisi, Aziz Rezapour, Hamid Pourasghari and Soudabeh Vatankhah, Additional authors on the study
  • Bmc, Campus, 4 Crinan St, London N1 9XW, England (Publisher's contact information for the journal Health Research Policy and Systems)