Barriers to Cancer Care Among People Experiencing Homelessness in Chicago

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Cancer Epidemiology
• Health Disparities

Background:

• Homeless individuals experience severe cancer disparities, including late-stage diagnosis and increased mortality.
• Structural factors like racism and healthcare deserts in Chicago exacerbate cancer risk among people experiencing homelessness (PEH).
• High rates of substance use, chronic infections (HCV, HBV, HIV, HPV), and poor health contribute to specific cancer overrepresentation in PEH.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review critical gaps in the cancer care continuum for PEH in Chicago.
• To identify the need for targeted, low-barrier interventions to address cancer disparities.
• To evaluate mobile medical clinics as a scalable solution for cancer screening and care linkage.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of cancer disparities in people experiencing homelessness.
• Analysis of risk factors contributing to cancer overrepresentation in PEH.
• Assessment of mobile medical clinics as an intervention strategy.

Main Results:

• PEH face significant barriers to preventive care and screening, leading to missed early diagnoses.
• Specific cancers like lung, head and neck, cervical, liver, colorectal, and breast cancers are overrepresented in PEH.
• Mobile clinics can deliver essential cancer services directly to PEH, improving access and navigation.

Conclusions:

• Urgent need for targeted, low-barrier interventions to address cancer disparities in Chicago's PEH population.
• Mobile medical clinics are a viable and scalable solution to improve cancer risk assessment, screening, and linkage to care.
• Implementing mobile clinic strategies can reduce cancer mortality and advance health equity for PEH.