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The availability of insurance to long‐time survivors of childhood cancer
Author(s) -
Holmes Grace E.,
Baker Ariel,
Hassanein Ruth S.,
Bovee Eugene C.,
Mulvihill John J.,
Myers Max H.,
Holmes Frederick F.
Publication year - 1986
Publication title -
cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.052
H-Index - 304
eISSN - 1097-0142
pISSN - 0008-543X
DOI - 10.1002/1097-0142(19860101)57:1<190::aid-cncr2820570136>3.0.co;2-8
Subject(s) - childhood cancer , medicine , sibling , life insurance , cancer , health insurance , gerontology , demography , health care , developmental psychology , psychology , actuarial science , sociology , economics , business , economic growth
The authors identified 100 adults who survived cancer who were diagnosed and treated in childhood between 1945 and 1975. Using standardized interviews, each survivor and matched same‐sex sibling was asked about life and health including questions about insurance. Compared with their same‐sex siblings, childhood cancer survivors had significantly more difficulty in securing life insurance ( P < 0.001), in having life insurance in force ( P < 0.004), and in obtaining health insurance because of health reasons ( P < 0.001). Survivors were significantly less likely than siblings to be covered by health insurance ( P < 0.04). Cure of childhood cancer has become more common, allowing thousands of survivors to enter adult life. This study suggests that childhood cancer survivors have an unmet need in respect to life and health insurance.