Precision Medicine Testing and Disparities in Health Care for Individuals With Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: A...

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Health Equity
• Precision Medicine

Background:

• Precision medicine offers targeted therapy for non-small cell lung cancer.
• Social determinants of health (SDOH) present significant barriers to these advancements.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine how SDOH impact access to precision medicine for non-small cell lung cancer patients.
• To identify disparities in genetic testing and targeted therapy based on SDOH.

Main Methods:

• A comprehensive literature search was conducted across major databases (MEDLINE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Embase, Google Scholar) for English articles published in the US from 2016-2020.
• Retrospective data analysis involved reviewing insurance claims and medical records, collecting information on demographics, diagnosis, genomic testing, and targeted therapy receipt.

Main Results:

• Individuals with non-small cell lung cancer experienced reduced access to genetic testing and targeted therapy.
• Disparities were observed among patients with lower socioeconomic status, public or no health insurance, Black race, and those residing in rural areas.

Conclusions:

• Social determinants of health significantly affect health equity in precision medicine for lung cancer.
• Understanding these SDOH impacts is crucial for developing strategies to mitigate inequities and improve patient outcomes.