Disparities observed with COVID-19 relate to limitations of the US health care system and societal differences, according to a recent commentary in JAMA Oncology (2020. doi:10.1001/jamaoncol.2020.5461).
In a previous article in JAMA Oncology, researchers assessed the association of cancer and demographic factors with COVID-19 outcomes (2020. doi:10.1001/jamaoncol.2020.6178). The study showed mortality rates in patients with cancer and diagnosed with COVID-19 to be 17% to 28%. Among patients without cancer, researchers reported a higher mortality rate and higher risk for developing COVID-19 in Black patients than in White patients.
In a commentary discussing that recent study, authors discussed the strengths and limitations of the study methods. The strengths pointed out include the investigation of risk factors associated with diagnosis and the large sample size. However, limitations include the retrospective case-control study design and limited information on specific types of data. Also, they call out the small number of representatives of the US population with COVID-19.
“We commend the authors for this study, which furthers our understanding of the risk factors for COVID-19 and its complications among patients with cancer,” wrote the authors. However, the commentary authors explain that the disparities observed for COVID-19 relate to public policy and note that solutions are required to overcome this issue. The recommended solutions include (1) large-scale, high-quality epidemiologic data; (2) policies that mitigate socioeconomic risk factors as well as health care access disparities; and (3) validated risk prediction tools to identify patients at greatest risk from COVID-19 and its complications.
“This situation should be a wake-up call that brings much-needed improvements in US equity policies, including but not limited to better health care access,” concluded the study authors.—Lisa Kuhns
