Publication date: Dec 01, 2024

Despite recent improvements in melanoma survival rates, persistent inequalities pose barriers to care for some patients. To assess the influence of social determinants of health (SDoH) on melanoma treatment outcomes. A systematic review (Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews CRD42022346854) of manuscripts that examined the association between SDoH and melanoma treatment-related outcomes in the United States was conducted using 5 databases. The analysis encompassed data from 12 retrospective manuscripts. The SDoH domains most frequently investigated were health care access and quality (n = 6 manuscripts, 50%) and economic stability (n = 7, 58. 3%). Other domains included social and community context (n = 5, 41. 7%) and education access (n = 3, 25%). These findings revealed significant correlations between poor melanoma survival and low levels of economic stability, limited education, government health insurance, and being uninsured and unmarried. Many SDoH were not analyzed at the patient level. SDoH are vast categories, but manuscripts usually analyze one aspect of a particular category. These results highlight the need for physicians to recognize the substantial impact of SDoH on melanoma outcomes and to adopt more comprehensive strategies focused on patient-centered care. Integrating social support mechanisms into clinical practice emerges as a key mechanism to promote equitable and effective interventions.

Semantics

Original Article