Abstract S10-04: Disparities in food insecurity among cancer survivors during the U.S. COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Marlene Camacho-Rivera, Jessica Y. Islam, Denise C. Vidot
Journal: Clinical Cancer Research (2021)

Abstract Background: Food insecurity can negatively impact adherence to and receipt of high-quality cancer care. The purpose of the study was to (1) compare the prevalence of COVID-19 associated food insecurity among cancer survivors to adults without a history of cancer and (2) examine determinants associated with COVID-19 related food insecurity among cancer survivors. Methods: We used nationally-representative data from the COVID-19 Household Impact Survey (n = 10,760), collected at three time points: April 20-26, May 4-10, and May 30-June 8 of 2020. Our primary exposure was cancer survivor status, based on participant’s self-report of a cancer diagnosis (n=854, 7.1%). Primary outcomes of food insecurity were categorized on how often (response options: often true, sometimes true, never true) participants reported the following: “We worried our food would run out before we got money to buy more” or “The food that we bought just didn't last, and we didn't have money to get more”; respondents were categorized as food insecure if they chose often true or sometimes true. We also examined use of food pantry assistance or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits during the pandemic period; respondents were also categorized as food insecure if they received or applied for these benefits. We compared reported food insecurity among cancer survivors to other U.S. adults using Chi-square tests. Multivariable Poisson regression was used to identify demographic determinants of food insecurity among cancer survivors. Results: Thirty-two percent of cancer survivors were food insecure. Cancer survivors aged 30-44 years and those aged ≥60 were more likely to report being food insecure compared to respondents without a history of cancer in the same age categories (30-44 years, 59.9% versus 41.2% p = 0.01, ≥60 years 27.2% versus 20.2%, p = 0.01). Cancer survivors without a high school diploma were more likely to report food insecurity compared to adults without a high school diploma and no history of cancer (87.0% versus 64.1%, p = 0.001). In examining determinants of food insecurity among cancer survivors, adults aged 45-49 years when compared to those ages ≥60 (aPR = 1.54, 95% CI 1.16-2.03), adults with no high school diploma (aPR = 2.63, 95% CI 1.53-4.50) or a high school degree (aPR = 1.94, 95% CI 1.08-3.49) compared to those with a baccalaureate or above, adults with an annual household income &amp;lt;$30,000 (aPR: 2.16, 95% CI: 1.15-4.07) compared to those earning ≥$100,000, and cancer survivors in rural areas (aPR = 1.51, 95% CI 1.07-2.12) compared those living in urban areas were more likely to report being food insecure. Uninsured cancer survivors (aPR: 2.39, 95% CI: 1.46-3.92) and those on Medicaid (aPR: 2.10, 95% CI: 1.40-3.17) were more likely to report being food insecure than their counterparts. Conclusions: Food insecurity during the COVID-19 pandemic is vast but varies considerably among cancer survivors and adults without a history of cancer. Among cancer survivors, differences in food insecurity were observed by age, SES, and area of residence. Citation Format: Marlene Camacho-Rivera, Jessica Y. Islam, Denise C. Vidot. Disparities in food insecurity among cancer survivors during the U.S. COVID-19 pandemic [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Virtual Meeting: COVID-19 and Cancer; 2021 Feb 3-5. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Clin Cancer Res 2021;27(6_Suppl):Abstract nr S10-04.