Open AccessFinancial distress among cancer survivors in Appalachian Kentucky
Author(s) -
Vanderpool Robin C.,
Chen Quan,
Johnson Meghan F.,
Lei Feitong,
Stradtman Lindsay R.,
Huang Bin
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
cancer reports
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.261
H-Index - 5
ISSN - 2573-8348
DOI - 10.1002/cnr2.1221
Subject(s) - rurality , distress , receipt , medicine , residence , population , demography , financial distress , gerontology , environmental health , rural area , clinical psychology , business , accounting , pathology , sociology , financial system
Background Rural residence may exacerbate cancer‐related financial distress. Limited research has focused on Appalachian cancer survivors' experience with financial distress. Aims The primary aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of financial distress among cancer survivors residing in Appalachian Kentucky with a specific focus on the impact of rurality and to elucidate the risk factors impacting financial distress among this population. Methods and Results Appalachian Kentucky residents were sampled for receipt of a health survey based on county‐level rurality. Analyses describe the prevalence and predictors of financial distress among cancer survivors. Subsequent analyses were conducted with Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS) data to compare local versus national estimates of financial distress. Almost two‐thirds of Appalachian survivors reported financial distress compared to one‐third of the HINTS sample. Appalachian survivors residing in the most rural counties reported higher distress; this finding was not supported in the national sample. In multivariable analyses, gender, current age, and household income were associated with financial distress among Appalachians; only income was significant among the national sample. Conclusion Appalachian cancer survivors have higher than national estimates of financial distress; rurality and socioeconomics are drivers of this disparity.