Fundamental social causes of inequalities in colorectal cancer mortality: A study of behavioral and medical mechanisms.
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ABSTRACT: Background:Fundamental cause theory posits that social conditions strongly influence the risk of health risks. This study identifies risk mechanisms that social conditions associated with socioeconomic status (SES) and race/ethnicity shape in the production of colorectal cancer (CRC) mortality. Methods:Two large datasets in the United States examining behavioral and medical preventive factors (N = 4.63-million people) were merged with population-level mortality data observing 761,100 CRC deaths among 3.31-billion person-years of observation to examine trends in CRC mortality from 1999-2012. Analyses examined the changing role of medical preventions and health behaviors in catalyzing SES and racial/ethnic inequalities in CRC mortality. Results:Lower SES as well as Black, Hispanic, Asian/Pacific Islander, and Native American race/ethnicity were associated with decreased access to age-appropriate screening and/or increased prevalence of behavioral risk factors. Analyses further revealed that SES and racial/ethnic inequalities were partially determined by differences in engagement in two preventive factors: use of colonoscopy, and participation in physical activity. Discussion:Social inequalities were not completely determined by behavioral risk factors. Nevertheless, a more equitable distribution of preventive medicines has the potential to reduce both the risk of, and social inequalities in, CRC mortality.
SUBMITTER: Clouston SAP
PROVIDER: S-EPMC7068626 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Mar
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
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