What Are The Determinants Of Racial Disparities?

Additional crucial factors influenced by SES include racial differences in screening rates and cancer stage at diagnosis. Estimates revealed that nearly 60% of deaths attributed to CRC may be avoidable through regular screening [2]. However, in 2008, only 64.5% of adults between the ages of 50–75 reported being up to date with CRC screening tests [8]. Patients with higher SES are seen to have increased health care utilization rates thus higher CRC screening rates, making diagnosis at an earlier stage more likely compared to those of lower SES [7]. In terms of racial disparities, studies indicated that 19% of the CRC mortality disparity between African Americans and whites could be accounted for by differences in screening rates, and 36% of …show more content…
Despite many years of efforts, African Americans continue to have the worst health outcomes, and the survival disparity between African American and white CRC patients is still widening [17]. A considerable amount of research has been devoted to elucidating the determinants of these racial disparities. SES, as the currently accepted driver of the racial disparity in CRC incidence and mortality, may affect a multitude of contributing factors, such as diet/lifestyle, other comorbidities, screening rates, stage at diagnosis, health care utilization, and treatment [4]. Therefore, an improved comprehension of the role played by each mediator downstream of SES is imperative to help us, as public health advocates, decide how interventions should be tailored to reduce this disparity [2]. Moreover, the framework of research on CRC disparities should be redefined to beyond health care, and must include evaluations of the effect of education, social and economic policies on health outcomes, as these assessments will provide valuable insights into solutions to eliminate racial disparities of CRC