Abstract B104: Assessing disparities in social determinants of health between African Americans/Black and Whites

Abstract

Abstract According to the 2020 census, the African American (AA) population reached almost 47 million habitants, comprising 14% of the total United States (U.S) population. Data has shown that amongst all racial and ethnic groups in the U.S, AA men have the highest incidences of cancer, and AA men and women have the highest death rate and worst survival for most malignancies. Historically, AAs face worse outcomes and illness compared to Whites. AAs have higher rates of lung cancer (LC), yet, are less likely to fulfill LC screening eligibility criteria. Black women, on the other hand, are almost twice as likely as White to die from breast cancer. Social determinants of health (SDH) heavily impact the health outcomes in this population. We sought to explore the differences in SDH between African Americans/Black and Whites. Survey data were obtained from the AAMC biannual Consumer Survey of Health Care Access. There were 53,523 subjects included from 2010to 2019. A chi-square comparison was conducted between Black, Hispanic, White, and other races with subsequent multivariate analysis. Numerical values were summarized as mean plus standard deviation and compared using ANOVA. A total of 5,245 participants self-identified as African American or Black. The largest group of AA participants were 25-34 years (21.7% ) versus ≥ 65 years for whites (23.3%). Most AA respondents were female, single, college graduates, employed full time and had private insurance. During the most recent medical care visit, AA reported higher rates than Whites for concerns about housing stability OR 2.37(1.52,3.69) and food insecurity OR 1.70 (1.08,2.69). Compared with Whites, AA reported significantly higher experiences of unfair treatment due to age OR 1.15 (1.01,1.30), race OR 1.62 (1.42,1.87), language OR 1.39 (1.20,1.59), culture OR 1.29 (1.11,1.50), and religion OR 1.47 (1.26,1.71). Disparities in social determinants of health have a quantifiable impact on the experiences within health care of the AA population. Perceived racial discrimination by the AA communities can negatively impact this vulnerable population's cancer diagnosis and care, widening disparities that have been present for decades. Citation Format: Coral Olazagasti, Idalid Franco, Fay Osman, Narjust Duma. Assessing disparities in social determinants of health between African Americans/Black and Whites [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 B104.