Racial/ethnic disparities in environmental respiratory allergies among cancer patients: national health interview survey analysis.

BACKGROUND: Environmental respiratory allergies (ERA) can worsen the quality of life of cancer patients. This study examined the prevalence, association, and racial/ethnic disparities in ERA diagnosis among cancer patients in the United States.

METHODS: We analyzed a retrospective cross-sectional dataset from the National Health Interview Survey (2021) involving weighted samples of 1,879 U.S. adults aged ≥18 years. Bivariate and multivariable analyses were conducted, adjusting for covariates.

RESULTS: The prevalence rate of ERA among cancer patients was 55.5%, with a significant difference among race/ethnicity. Non-Hispanic other/Multiracial had the highest prevalence of ERA (83.1%), followed by non-Hispanic Asians (68.2%), and non-Hispanic Black/African American (65.2%). Non-Hispanic Other/Multiracial cancer patients had significantly higher odds of ERA compared to non-Hispanic Whites in sociodemographic, socioeconomic, and fully adjusted models, respectively. Similarly, Non-Hispanic Blacks/African Americans had increased odds of ERA compared to non-Hispanic Whites (AOR = 1.58, 95% CI = 1.00-2.56) after adjusting for education and health insurance. Additionally, race/ethnic minority cancer patients were 1.22 times more likely to be at risk of ERA than their non-Hispanic White counterparts.

CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that racial/ethnic disparities exist in ERA diagnosis among cancer patients. Therefore, targeted interventions aimed at addressing these disparities can help improve the quality of life for cancer patients.