Breaking Barriers in Classic Hodgkin Lymphoma: Unraveling Disparities between Hispanic and Non-Hispanic Patients Via the National Cancer Database (NCDB)

BACKGROUND Reducing health disparities in an increasingly diverse population with growing inequality is of paramount importance. Classic Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL), exhibits incidence variations related to socio-environmental factors, socioeconomic status, and migration (PMID 22241896). This research focuses on investigating the disparities between Hispanic (HI) and non-Hispanic (NH) patients diagnosed with cHL; utilizing an extensive dataset, this study represents the largest and most comprehensive effort to date in shedding light on the factors contributing to disparities in cHL incidence and outcomes between these two population groups. The findings from this groundbreaking study can play a crucial role in shaping healthcare policies and practices that foster inclusivity and provide equitable access to quality care, ultimately contributing to the overall health and well-being of the entire nation. METHODS Data were analyzed on cHL patients in the US reported to the National Cancer Database (NCDB) between 2004 and 2019. Demographic and treatment characteristics were compared between ethnic groups. Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analyses were used to compare OS between HI and NH populations. Multivariate analysis and propensity score matching was performed with adjustment for age, stage, co-morbidity score, and insurance status, type of facility and great circle distance. RESULTS Out of 84,923 cHL patients, 9% were HI, and 86% NH. 56% of HI were male, compared to 54% of NH . As compared to NH at diagnosis, HI patients were younger (mean 38 years vs. 41 years) (p=