Abstract C127: Mental health and quality of care levels associated with race and socioeconomic status among cancer patients
Authors: Chevrin Jamirah Y. , Rivers Brian 
Published: January 2023

Mental health and quality of cancer care are factors that significantly impact a cancer patient’s health outcomes. It is imperative that all patients, regardless of race or socio-economic status (SES), have equitable opportunities for optimal cancer survival. Recent reports suggest, African American (AA) cancer patients have the highest cancer mortality rates and lowest survival rates of any racial and ethnic group in the United States (U.S.). (cite) These alarming statistics, attributed in part to disparities in healthcare, can be linked to individual level stressors, modifiable risk factors, and structural characteristics of the health system. Recent studies suggest, AA’s and individuals of low SES in the U.S., are more likely to suffer disproportionately from social determinants of health (SDOH) that may contribute to chronic stress over the lifespan. Chronic stress is shown to have a negative impact on the mental health of a patient which can potentially contribute to progression of disease and effectiveness of cancer treatments. Quality of cancer care may even contribute to lower or higher rates of cancer patient stress. The complex interplay of mental health and quality of cancer care with race and SES can have a significant impact on the health outcomes of cancer patients. Methods Data for this study will be obtained from the National Cancer Institute’s Health Informational National Trends Survey (HINTS 5, CYCLE 4), a nationally representative cross sectional survey of American adults using telephone and postal mail. Secondary analysis of the dataset will be conducted using respondents. Participant characteristics and behaviors will be examined using weighted descriptive statistics. Bivariate chi square analyses will be conducted to examine the association between each independent variable (gender, race/ethnicity, age, level of education, level of income, and can afford treatment without it effecting finances) and the dependent variable as stress and distress scores and quality of care Multivariable logistic regression analyses will be used to estimate adjusted odds ratios (AORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% Cis) to determine whether race and socioeconomic status factors affect stress, distress scores, and quality of care. Results We will report findings relative to African American cancer patients of the same socio-economic status as White cancer patients and the association with lower quality of care and higher stress scores. Additional we will present findings relative to the association of African American cancer patients of lower socio-economic status with have higher stress scores and lower quality of care than African Americans of higher socio-economic status. Lastly, we will present data on the association of financial toxicity, race, SES, and stress score and quality of cancer care. Conclusion It is anticipated the findings from this study will inform future intervention strategies to address social determinants of health in clinical and non-clinical settings.

Citation Format: Jamirah Y. Chevrin, Brian Rivers. Mental health and quality of care levels associated with race and socioeconomic status among cancer patients [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 15th AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2022 Sep 16-19; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2022;31(1 Suppl):Abstract nr C127.