To evaluate the association between structural racism and specific quality of care metrics for Black and White patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
Key Findings:
Black patients are less likely to be diagnosed at localized stages and receive appropriate treatment compared to White patients, highlighting systemic inequities.
Higher CSR index values correlate with increased disparities in NSCLC care and outcomes between Black and White patients, indicating a need for policy intervention.
The SREI and CSR metrics provide insights into the role of structural racism in lung cancer treatment disparities, suggesting areas for targeted action.
Interpretation:
The study highlights the significant impact of structural racism on racial inequities in lung cancer treatment, suggesting that both deprivation and dissimilarity metrics are crucial for understanding these disparities and informing interventions.
Limitations:
The study is cross-sectional, limiting causal inferences and the ability to establish temporal relationships.
Potential biases in Medicare data and self-reported race and ethnicity may affect findings, particularly in the accuracy of racial categorization.
Conclusion:
Addressing structural racism through targeted interventions, such as community health initiatives and policy reforms, may help reduce racial disparities in lung cancer treatment and outcomes.
by Jacquelyne J. Gaddy, Do H. Lee, Jeph Herrin, James B. Yu, Craig E. Pollack, Lorraine T. Dean, Geoff B. Dougherty, Maureen E. Canavan, Pamela R. Soulos, Cary P. Gross
