Lung Cancer Screening by Nativity Among Latino Community Health Center Patients

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Health Disparities
• Oncology

Background:

• Annual low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) for lung cancer screening (LCS) is recommended by USPSTF for individuals with significant smoking history.
• National LCS prevalence is low, with existing racial and ethnic disparities.
• LCS disparities by nativity among Latino patients remain under-examined.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate LCS order documentation and prevalence among Latino patients based on place of birth.
• To identify potential disparities in LCS access within the Latino population.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of electronic health records from a multistate community health center network (2013-2022).
• Inclusion of Latino patients with current or former cigarette use, adjusting for demographic factors.
• Comparison of LCS order odds by nativity (US-born, foreign-born, unrecorded).

Main Results:

• Overall LCS order prevalence was 7.3% among eligible patients.
• US-born Latinos had similar odds of LCS orders compared to non-Latino Whites (OR=0.71).
• Foreign-born Latinos (OR=0.47) and Latinos with unrecorded nativity (OR=0.63) had significantly lower odds of LCS orders.

Conclusions:

• LCS prevalence is low among Latino and non-Hispanic White patients with smoking history.
• Foreign-born Latinos and those with unrecorded nativity face significant barriers to LCS.
• Enhanced documentation of nativity and smoking history is essential for equitable LCS delivery to diverse Latino populations.