Abstract A89: Estimating potential years of life lost and productivity lost due to avoidable premature colorectal cancer deaths in U.S. counties with lower educational attainment

Abstract

Abstract Background: Measures of socioeconomic status (SES) are inversely associated with colorectal cancer (CRC) mortality. This study aims to estimate potential years of life lost and productivity lost due to premature cancer deaths among United States residents of lower SES areas, as measured by percentage of high school graduates. Methods: 2008-2012 mortality and population data were used to estimate the number of expected CRC deaths between the ages of 50-74 years by applying the mortality rate from higher SES areas (≥85% high school graduation) to lower SES areas, by race/ethnicity, age, and gender. Excess deaths (observed minus expected deaths) were used to estimate the years of potential life lost (YPLL) and the human capital method was used to estimate productivity lost due to YPLL. Results: Risk of CRC deaths was inversely associated with SES among non-Hispanic whites, non-Hispanic blacks and Hispanics. Of the 85,484 CRC deaths during 2008-2012 in lower SES groups, 16.8% (n=14,398) were potentially preventable if the CRC mortality rates in all areas were the same as higher SES areas. Eliminating avoidable CRC deaths would result in $4.2 billion in productivity gains in men and $2.2 billion in women based on a 3% discount rate. Conclusion: A substantial number of CRC deaths are potentially preventable through routine colorectal screening. SES disparities represent a large number of these deaths and result in a large economic burden in lower SES areas. Eliminating educational disparities could help decrease CRC cancer deaths and associated productivity lost in the US. These estimates do not include the costs to diagnose, treat and care for CRC patients. Citation Format: Hannah K. Weir, Chunyu Li, Jane Henley, Djenaba Joseph. Estimating potential years of life lost and productivity lost due to avoidable premature colorectal cancer deaths in U.S. counties with lower educational attainment. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Eighth AACR Conference on The Science of Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; Nov 13-16, 2015; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2016;25(3 Suppl):Abstract nr A89.