In a new study led by ACS scientists found that unmet social needs of adults in the United States were associated with a substantial reduction in trust of cancer information from doctors and the healthcare system. Unmet social needs include insecurity in housing, food, and/or transportation access, which affect health and well-being. The study was published in the journal Psycho-Oncology.“Public trust in health authorities is so essential because it influences uptake of health recommendations like routine cancer screening and vaccination,” said Dr. Jordan Baeker Bispo, principal scientist, cancer disparity research at ACS, and lead author of the study. “Social inequality is an important driver of medical mistrust. These findings are important as we need to better understand this dynamic in the context of cancer information sharing and cancer control.” “Addressing social needs in the clinical setting may enhance patient trust in cancer messaging from providers,” Baeker Bispo added. “Many health systems have adopted social needs screening programs to help patients access the resources they need beyond the clinic walls. These programs could have a positive downstream impact on communication about cancer control by enhancing the trustworthiness of providers and health systems at large.” “Evidence shows that patient navigation can bridge a number of gaps and address diverse needs across patient populations. When it comes to cancer care, patient navigation offers support to manage and traverse an often overwhelming and scary prognosis by increasing understanding of treatment options,” said Lisa A. Lacasse, president of ACS CAN.Other ACS researchers contributing to the study include Jessica Star, MPH, Dr. Ahmedin Jemal, and senior author Dr. Farhad Islami.
