JAMA otolaryngology-- head & neck surgery
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JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg · Sep 2017
Association of Insurance and Community-Level Socioeconomic Status With Treatment and Outcome of Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Pharynx.
Community-level socioeconomic status, particularly insurance status, is increasingly becoming important as a possible determinant in patient outcomes. ⋯ Insurance status and household income level are associated with outcome in patients with SCC of the pharynx. Those without insurance and with lower household income may significantly benefit from improving access to adequate, timely medical care. Additional investigations are necessary to develop targeted interventions to optimize access to standard medical treatments, adherence to physician management recommendations, and subsequently, prognosis in these patients at risk.