Sign in Subscribe
Cancer research

Lung Cancer Screening Disparities in Asian American Subgroups Identified in Large Integrated Health System

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Asian Americans face significant disparities in lung cancer screening rates, with only 0.7% of eligible patients being screened in California. A new study conducted by Kaiser Permanente Northern California (KPNC) has shed light on the extent of these disparities, highlighting the need for culturally sensitive interventions to increase screening rates. The study analyzed electronic health records from 2015 to 2022, demonstrating that lung cancer screening rates varied significantly among Asian American subgroups.

Key Takeaways:

  • Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide among Asian Americans, yet screening rates are unknown.
  • KPNC's lung cancer screening (LCS) rate is 0.7%, which is 4x the California state rate.
  • LCS rates varied significantly among Asian American subgroups, with Chinese (4.0%) and Southeast Asian (6.54%) populations being screened more frequently under the 2021 and 2013 USPSTF guidelines, respectively.
  • The study concluded that systemic and culturally sensitive interventions are necessary to increase overall LCS screening rates and address population-specific disparities.

Statistics:

  • LCS rate among eligible AsA patients in KPNC was 4.3% (2013 guidelines) and 2.7% (2021 guidelines).
  • The Korean population had the lowest LCS rate (3.57%) under the 2021 guidelines.
  • The study covered 5,823 patients under the 2021 guidelines and 2,273 patients under the 2013 guidelines.
  • LCS rates differed significantly among Asian American subgroups, with the Pacific Islander population being screened at the lowest rate (1.91%).

Sources:

  • NewsRx. Findings in Lung Cancer Reported from Kaiser Permanente Northern California (Lung Cancer Screening Disparities In Asian American Subgroups In a Large Integrated Health System). Managed Care Business Week. July 15, 2025; p 23.
  • The American Surgeon[TM]. Lung Cancer Screening Disparities In Asian American Subgroups In a Large Integrated Health System. 2025. Sage Publications Inc, 2455 Teller Rd, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320, USA.

Read more