SHM Converge Scientific Abstract ePoster Gallery-Cancer Care Inequities in the Face of Mental Health and Substance Challenges in Underserved Communities

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This study examined how substance use disorder (SUD) and mental health disorders (MHD) affect cancer care among newly diagnosed patients at Lincoln Medical and Mental Health Center in the South Bronx, an underserved urban community with large Latinx and Black populations. The researchers reviewed electronic health records and conducted structured telephone interviews for patients diagnosed with cancer from January to December 2022. Outcomes included diagnostic delays, treatment adherence, emergency department and inpatient use, follow-up loss, and one-year mortality.<br /><br />Of 495 identified patients, 344 were included in the final analysis after exclusions. The group was 32.3% Black, 58.7% Hispanic, and 9.0% other ethnicities. Overall, 56.4% had substance use, while 19.9% had a mental illness.<br /><br />Key findings showed that substance use was associated with worse cancer care outcomes, including higher rates of lost follow-up or treatment discontinuation, more emergency visits, and more psychiatric comorbidity. Patients with SUD were also more likely to be diagnosed at stage 4 cancer. Cocaine use was specifically linked to significant delays in cancer diagnosis. Depression and bipolar disorder were associated with greater drug use, while anxiety was associated with shorter treatment delays.<br /><br />Patients who died within one year of diagnosis had higher rates of psychiatric illness, substance use, missed appointments, emergency visits, and hospitalizations.<br /><br />The study concludes that SUD and MHD are major contributors to cancer care inequities in underserved communities. Integrating mental health and physical health services may help improve cancer outcomes, reduce delays, and lower mortality in this population.

Asset Subtitle

Reyad Al Jabiri

Meta Tag

Author List Abdullah Salahie, Alejandrina Cuello Ramirez, Ani Gvajaia, Eunhee Choi, Gabriela Galicia Garcia, Ho Yin Henry Chan, KRISHNA KISHORE Anne, Lucia Boettner, Maria Albuja Altemirano, Melissa Begolli, Michael Imeh, Monica Muppidi, Myungwoo Nam, Natia Adam

Category Research

Concept Substance Use Disorder

Concept Mental Health Disorder

Concept Cancer Disparity

Concept Underserved Community

Concept Cancer Diagnosis

Distinguished Non-Finalist

Presenter Organization Lincoln Medical Center

Presenting Author Reyad Al Jabiri

Track Outcomes Research

Keywords

substance use disorder

mental health disorders

cancer care outcomes

diagnostic delays

treatment adherence

emergency department use

follow-up loss

one-year mortality

underserved communities

Latinx and Black populations

Substance Use Disorder

Mental Health Disorder

Cancer Disparity

Underserved Community

Cancer Diagnosis