Associations Between a Social Determinant of Health Summary Measure and Self-Reported Physical and Mental Health Among Cancer Survivors.

Objective: We sought to examine the associations between a social needs measure and physical, and mental health among cancer survivors in the United States.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional analysis using the 2022 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System survey involving 16,930 eligible cancer survivors. The primary outcomes of interest were self-reported physical and mental health in the past 30 days. A social needs measure was our primary exposure of interest. Multivariate logistic regression was used to examine the associations of interest.

Results: Overall, 56% and 73% survivors with several days of poor physical and mental health, respectively, reported having two or more social needs. In multivariate analysis, those having at least one social need were more likely to report several days of poor physical (one need: OR, 1.62; 95% CI, 1.31-2.00, two or more needs: OR, 3.52; 95% CI, 2.84-4.35) and mental health (one need: OR, 3.07; 95% CI, 2.07-4.57, two or more needs: OR, 9.69; 95% CI, 6.83-13.74). Among survivors with two or more social needs, having exercised in the past 30 days were 41% and 59% less likely to experience poor physical and mental health, respectively (p-value < 0.05). However, having at least one chronic disease was associated with several days of poor physical/mental health among those with two or more needs (p-value < 0.05).

Conclusion: Having social needs was associated with self-reporting of several days of poor physical and mental health among cancer survivors. Integrated care should include mental/physical health management addressing cancer survivors' various social needs.