Racial and Ethnic Differences in Diabetes Care Quality in A National Sample of Cancer Survivors Relative to Non-Cancer Controls

Among cancer survivors, diabetes is associated with greater morbidity and mortality. The objective of this study is to describe racial/ethnic disparities in diabetes care quality (DCQ) among cancer survivors compared to non-cancer controls.

We used Medical Expenditure Panel Survey Household Component data (2010–2018). Black, non-Hispanic White (NHW), and Hispanic respondents diagnosed with diabetes and cancer were frequency matched 1:5 to non-cancer controls. Multivariable logistic regression estimated associations for specific indices and overall DCQ by race/ethnicity stratified by cancer site/status in partially adjusted (not controlling for socioeconomic indicators) and fully adjusted models.

The final sample of 4775 included cancer survivors (n = 907 all cancers; n = 401 breast; n = 167 colon; n = 339 prostate) and non-cancer controls (n = 3868) matched by age, race/ethnicity, and year. In partially adjusted models, Black (adjusted odds ratio, AOR) 0.67 [95% CI 0.54–0.83]) and Hispanic (AOR 0.68 [95% CI 0.54–0.87]) non-cancer controls had significant disparities for overall DCQ compared to NHWs. Among cancer survivors, DCQ disparities for Black (AOR 0.62, [95% CI 0.4–0.96]) and Hispanics (AOR 0.60, [95% CI 0.38–0.97]) were identified. Among prostate cancer survivors, DCQ disparities were identified for Blacks (AOR 0.38; [95% CI 0.20–0.72]) and Hispanics (AOR 0.39; [95% CI 0.17–0.89]) compared to NHWs. Racial disparities among Black controls and Black prostate cancer survivors remained significant in fully adjusted models.

Diabetes care disparities are evident among cancer survivors and salient among non-cancer controls. Strategies to promote health equity should target specific care indices among survivors and emphasize equitable DCQ strategies among Black and Hispanic communities.