LICEO DE CAGAYAN UNIVERSITY

Paseo del Rio Campus, Macasandig, Cagayan de Oro City

COLLEGE OF NURSING
First Semester, Academic Year 2023-2024
CHN 2 – RLE Group 2 (Block C)

Journal Reading (FINALS)

Student Nurse: Justine Paul O. Gaitera

Yr.&Sec.: NUR-3C (Group 2)

The impact of health insurance on cancer care in disadvantaged

communities

This research investigates the impact of health insurance on cancer care in

disadvantaged communities, emphasizing the intricate connection between socioeconomic
factors and healthcare outcomes. Utilizing Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results registries
alongside US Census data, the authors analyze patterns in cancer care post-Affordable Care Act.
The study focuses on leading causes of cancer deaths, including breast, prostate, lung, and
colorectal cancers, providing relevance to the findings.

The study identifies a county-level social determinant score based on wealth, education,
and employment, offering a comprehensive understanding of existing disparities within
communities. Patients from the most disadvantaged communities consistently face challenges,
such as presenting with advanced disease stages and receiving less cancer-directed surgery. The
research underscores the significant impact of health insurance on cancer outcomes in
disadvantaged communities, revealing a higher likelihood of insured patients benefiting and a
reduction in disparities in cancer-specific survival.

Despite the positive influence of health insurance, the reflection highlights a key insight
for nursing students: while insurance is crucial in narrowing gaps in cancer care disparities, it is
not a complete solution. Persistent disparities in cancer-specific survival across socioeconomic
quintiles emphasize that the multifaceted nature of social determinants cannot be entirely
mitigated by insurance alone. The conclusion prompts nursing students to reflect on the
broader role of healthcare professionals in addressing social determinants of health and
underscores the importance of a holistic and patient-centered approach beyond medical
interventions. Advocating for comprehensive strategies is crucial to bridge existing gaps in
cancer care for individuals from disadvantaged communities.