Journal article
Financial hardship among rural cancer survivors: An analysis of the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey
Preventive medicine, v 129 Suppl, pp 105881-105881
01 Dec 2019
PMID: 31727380
Featured in Collection : UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel
Abstract
Some cancer survivors report spending 20% of their annual income on medical care. Undue financial burden that patients face related to the cost of care is referred to as financial hardship, which may be more prevalent among rural cancer survivors. This study examined contrasts in financial hardship among 1419 rural and urban cancer survivors using the 2011 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey supplement – The Effects of Cancer and Its Treatment on Finances. We combined four questions, creating a measure of material financial hardship, and examined one question on financial worry. We conducted multivariable logistic regression analyses, which produced odds ratios (OR) for factors associated with financial hardship and worry, and then generated average adjusted predicted probabilities. We focused on rural and urban differences classified by metropolitan statistical area (MSA) designation, controlling for age, education, race, marital status, health insurance, family income, and time since last cancer treatment. More rural cancer survivors reported financial hardship than urban survivors (23.9% versus 17.1%). However, our adjusted models revealed no significant impact of survivors’ MSA designation on financial hardship or worry. Average adjusted predicted probabilities of financial hardship were 18.6% for urban survivors (Confidence Interval [CI]: 11.9%–27.5%) and 24.2% for rural survivors (CI: 15.0%–36.2%). For financial worry, average adjusted predicted probabilities were 19.9% for urban survivors (CI: 12.0%–31.0%) and 18.8% for rural survivors (CI: 12.1%–28.0%). Improving patient-provider communication through decision aids and/or patient navigators may be helpful to reduce financial hardship and worry regardless of rural-urban status.
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Details
- Title
- Financial hardship among rural cancer survivors: An analysis of the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey
- Creators
- Cassie L. Odahowski - University of South CarolinaWhitney E. Zahnd - University of South CarolinaAnja Zgodic - University of South CarolinaJean S. Edward - University of KentuckyLauren N. Hill - University of South CarolinaMelinda M. Davis - Oregon Health & Science UniversityCynthia K. Perry - Oregon Health & Science UniversityJackilen Shannon - Oregon Health & Science UniversityStephanie B. Wheeler - University of North Carolina at Chapel HillRobin C. Vanderpool - University of KentuckyJan M. Eberth - University of South Carolina
- Publication Details
- Preventive medicine, v 129 Suppl, pp 105881-105881
- Publisher
- Elsevier
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Health Management and Policy
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:000508355700013
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-85072179251
- Other Identifier
- 991021855275404721
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- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- Web of Science research areas
- Public, Environmental & Occupational Health