Cancer diagnosis and treatment in working-age adults: Implications for employment, health insurance coverage, and financial hardship in the United States Journal Article
| Authors: | Yabroff, K. R.; Doran, J. F.; Zhao, J.; Chino, F.; Shih, Y. C. T.; Han, X.; Zheng, Z.; Bradley, C. J.; Bryant, M. F. |
| Article Title: | Cancer diagnosis and treatment in working-age adults: Implications for employment, health insurance coverage, and financial hardship in the United States |
| Abstract: | The rising costs of cancer care and subsequent medical financial hardship for cancer survivors and families are well documented in the United States. Less attention has been paid to employment disruptions and loss of household income after a cancer diagnosis and during treatment, potentially resulting in lasting financial hardship, particularly for working-age adults not yet age-eligible for Medicare coverage and their families. In this article, the authors use a composite patient case to illustrate the adverse consequences of cancer diagnosis and treatment for employment, health insurance coverage, household income, and other aspects of financial hardship. They summarize existing research and provide nationally representative estimates of multiple aspects of financial hardship and health insurance coverage, benefit design, and employee benefits, such as paid sick leave, among working-age adults with a history of cancer and compare them with estimates among working-age adults without a history of cancer from the most recently available years of the National Health Interview Survey (2019–2021). Then, the authors identify opportunities for addressing employment and health insurance coverage challenges at multiple levels, including federal, state, and local policies; employers; cancer care delivery organizations; and nonprofit organizations. These efforts, when informed by research to identify best practices, can potentially help mitigate the financial hardship associated with cancer. © 2024 The Authors. CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Cancer Society. |
| Keywords: | adult; middle aged; doxorubicin; united states; paclitaxel; adjuvant therapy; cancer radiotherapy; neoplasm; neoplasms; multiple cycle treatment; breast cancer; health survey; cyclophosphamide; breast reconstruction; cancer therapy; cancer survivor; cancer hormone therapy; health care policy; health care cost; health economics; health insurance; medicare; economics; government; health policy; medical research; diagnosis; therapy delay; survivorship; insurance; medical society; texas; employment status; health care organization; health care delivery; therapy; income; non profit organization; disease surveillance; cancer survivors; insurance, health; medical history; employment; insurance coverage; patient advocacy; humans; human; male; female; article; best practice; patient worry; disability insurance; malignant neoplasm; household income; medical leave; occupational health service; financial stress; economic well-being; building industry; single parent |
| Journal Title: | CA - A Cancer Journal for Clinicians |
| Volume: | 74 |
| Issue: | 4 |
| ISSN: | 0007-9235 |
| Publisher: | Wiley-Blackwell |
| Date Published: | 2024-07-01 |
| Start Page: | 341 |
| End Page: | 358 |
| Language: | English |
| DOI: | 10.3322/caac.21837 |
| PUBMED: | 38652221 |
| PROVIDER: | scopus |
| DOI/URL: | |
| Notes: | Source: Scopus |
