Health care crisis: the head and neck cancer patient and affordable health insurance.
In an evaluation of 30 patients with head and neck cancer, we found that 14 (46%) were uninsured at the time of diagnosis and 15 (50%) had yearly incomes below the poverty level. Tobacco and alcohol were identified as risk factors in 25 (83%) of the patients. These patients spent an average of $2,781 on carcinogenic agents yearly, increasing the risk of cancer 55 times that of the unexposed population, whereas the cost of a health insurance policy was $2,321 per year. To remedy the disparities and incongruities of this situation, we advocate patient education to influence behavioral change in these high-risk groups, a lowering of insurance rates, legal reform, and continued physician activism toward managing the current health care crisis.
Hagen
P C
PC
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Louisiana State University Medical Center, New Orleans.
Nuss
D W
DW
Ellis
M
M
Lyons
G D
GD
D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000191:economics* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008145:Louisiana / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D017057:Medically Uninsured / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D010819:Physician's Role; D011203:Poverty; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D015996:Survival Rate