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Analysis and optimization of equitable US cancer clinical trial center access by travel time

Hassal Lee, A. Bates, A. Marshall, Shawneequa L. Callier, N. Chambwe, T. Janowitz

Journal of Clinical Oncology, 2023

7,623 participants · 5 citations

Abstract

6524 Background: Racially minoritized and socioeconomically disadvantaged populations are underrepresented in cancer clinical trials. Data-driven, quantitative approaches are required to address this inequity. Here, we systematically analyze the geographical distribution of self-identified racial and socioeconomic demographics within commuting distance to cancer clinical trial centers and all hospitals U.S.-wide. Methods: We calculate self-identified racial and socioeconomic demographics of populations living within 30-, 60-, and 120-minute one-way driving commute times from U.S. cancer clinical trial centers and all U.S. hospitals. Data sources include the U.S. 2020 census (for race and socioeconomic data), OpenStreetMaps (for calculation of commuting times), NCT trial registry (for cancer clinical trial quantification), NCI Designated Cancer Centers List, Nature Index of Cancer Research Health Institutions and National Homeland Infrastructure Foundation-Level Data (for U.S.-wide hospital and cancer clinical trial center identification). Data analysis was conducted in R, and Ggplot2 used for all data visualizations. Results: Analysis of clinical trial numbers between 2012–2022 identified 78 high-volume U.S. cancer trial centers. Compared to U.S. national averages, these centers are in areas with socioeconomically more affluent populations (+27.6K USD (95% CI +23.1 to 32.8K) median income unpaired mean difference; -0.073 (95% CI -0.063 to -0.084) deprivation index unpaired…

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