Research & Publications

Summary

Health disparities among racial/ethnic minorities have been observed in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This real-world retrospective insurance claims study of more than 22,200 adult patients with HCC between 2015 and 2018 evaluates the association of race/ethnicity and socioeconomic position (measured by income level) with emergency department (ED) utilization.

The study consisted of 69% White, 14% Black, 7% Hispanic, 6% Asian, and 4% other patient populations. Black and Hispanic patients had the highest number of ED visits, followed by White and Asian patients. Compared with White patients, ED visits were 27% higher for Black, 17% higher for Hispanic, and 36% lower for Asian patients. Compared with low income, middle income was associated with 4% more and high income with 6% less ED use, regardless of race/ethnicity. At higher income levels, Black and Hispanic but not Asian patients demonstrated higher ED use than White patients.

Why This Matters

These findings suggest that improved socioeconomic positions of Black and Hispanic patients may not provide as protective an effect on health outcomes, potentially due to structural health inequities. Further research on the relationship between race/ethnicity, socioeconomic position, and other social drivers of health may guide structural-level interventions to address health inequities.