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Racial and ethnic disparities in cost-related medication non-adherence among cancer survivors

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Abstract

Purpose

Cancer survivors are delaying or avoiding necessary care due to costs, and medication non-adherence is an important aspect of deferred treatment. This study estimates the prevalence of cost-related medication non-adherence (CRN) by race and ethnicity and examines factors associated with CRN among cancer survivors.

Methods

Using the 2006–2013 National Health Interview Survey, we examine self-reported CRN among cancer survivors compared with cancer-free controls. Descriptive statistics and multiple logistic regression models were used to identify factors associated with CRN among cancer survivors.

Results

In a nationally representative sample of 472,542 adults, 10,998 participants reported a history of cancer and 461,544 did not. Among 10,998 cancer survivors, 1397 (12.70 %) reported CRN. Among older cancer survivors, African-Americans were 2.64 times more likely (95 % confidence interval (CI), 1.73 to 4.01) and Hispanics 2.07 times more likely (95 % CI, 1.32 to 3.24) than whites to report CRN. Among younger cancer survivors, Hispanics were 1.61 times more likely (95 % CI, 1.23 to 2.10) than whites to report CRN.

Conclusions

Significant racial and ethnic disparities in CRN were evident among cancer survivors. Older African-American and Hispanic overall survivors were more likely to report CRN in the past year compared with non-Hispanic whites.

Implications for Cancer Survivors

Given increasing prescription drug expenditure, it is important to closely monitor CRN in high-risk subgroups. Racial and ethnic minority groups at high risk for CRN should be counseled on the importance of medication adherence and offered support services to promote medication adherence. Further studies are warranted to establish effective policies and interventions in vulnerable populations.

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Acknowledgments

Authors’ contributions

ML developed the research question, performed the analysis, and drafted the manuscript. ML and RGS interpreted the data and participated in the design and planning of the study. Both authors have read and approved the final manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Health Services Policy and Management, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA

    Minjee Lee

  2. Department of Health Outcomes and Policy, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA

    Ramzi G. Salloum

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Correspondence to Minjee Lee.

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The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

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Lee, M., Salloum, R.G. Racial and ethnic disparities in cost-related medication non-adherence among cancer survivors. J Cancer Surviv 10, 534–544 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11764-015-0499-y

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