Abstract PO-075: COVID-19 and social determinants of health (SDOH): Impact on cancer prevention in GENZ population (Ages 18-25)

Abstract

Abstract Purpose: Employing a social determinants of health (SDOH) framework including race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status (SES) (education, income) and other barriers we: 1) Describe the impact of COVID-19 on young adults (GENZ) who live in CT; 2) Determine if COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy is related to other vaccine utilization (HPV and Flu) and other cancer prevention behaviors Background: As is well recognized from previous pandemics and epidemics, the burden of disease falls disproportionately on those individuals with fewest resources. It is now clear that the COVID-19 associated death and disease burden in minority and low socioeconomic communities is disproportionate to their numbers in the general population. In addition to the disproportionate acute impact of the COVID-19 on vulnerable communities, the long-term impact may be lost ground with respect to cancer prevention due to disruption, distrust and misinformation. Little is known about how the pandemic has impacted young adults and whether this has influenced behaviors that are key to cancer prevention. Methods: In May, 2021, we conducted a Qualtrics survey assessing all aspects of COVID-19 impact, with extensive SDOH measures, including everyday racism and medical mistrust, cancer prevention and screening, access to health care, and intentions regarding future vaccination uptake, adherence to COVID-19 preventive practices, lifestyle behaviors associated with cancer prevention, and cancer screening. Participants (n=232) are 18-25 year olds with a permanent address in Connecticut. We used social networks and social media to recruit participants. Analysis includes descriptive and multivariate adjusted logistic regression findings predicting maintenance of healthy lifestyle (primary cancer prevention) and cancer screening and associations with COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy. Results: In this sample of young adults, the average age was 21.2 (range 18-25), with 52% reporting their race/ethnicity as Hispanic/Latinx (33%) or African American/Black (19%); 53.3% were female, 46.2% were male, and .4% reported other. Descriptive data demonstrate high levels of SDOH and the impact of COVID-19 on many aspects of life for this study population. COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy was relatively low at 12.2%, with 57% of GENZ participants reporting that they had already vaccinated. We present predictors of healthy lifestyle behaviors and intention to adhere to cancer screening guidelines going forward and the relationship to history of and intent to vaccinate against COVID-19. Conclusion: The unique challenges of young adults during COVID-19 are not well documented. Findings will inform community level interventions in the event of continued COVID-19 (or similar) public health challenges, while identifying opportunities to advance cancer prevention long-term for these young adults. Citation Format: Beth A. Jones, Sakinah C. Suttiratana, Shua Kim, William Eger. COVID-19 and social determinants of health (SDOH): Impact on cancer prevention in GENZ population (Ages 18-25) [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Virtual Conference: 14th AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2021 Oct 6-8. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2022;31(1 Suppl):Abstract nr PO-075.