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1 "Suzanne Vang"
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Original Article
Health-related Quality of Life in Elderly Asian American and Non-Hispanic White Cancer Survivors
Suzanne Vang
J Prev Med Public Health. 2023;56(5):440-448.   Published online September 13, 2023
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3961/jpmph.22.464
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AbstractAbstract AbstractSummary PDF
Objectives
The purpose of this study was to assess predictors of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in elderly Asian American and non-Hispanic White cancer survivors.
Methods
We conducted cross-sectional secondary data analyses using the combined datasets from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results program and the Medicare Health Outcomes Survey.
Results
Elderly Asian American cancer survivors reported a lower mental HRQoL but a comparable physical HRQoL relative to elderly non-Hispanic White cancer survivors. Stress factors, such as comorbidities, difficulties with activities of daily living, and a history of depressive symptoms, along with coping resources like self-rated health and the ability to take the survey in English, were significantly associated with mental and physical HRQoL. Among elderly Asian American cancer survivors, a significantly lower mental HRQoL was observed among those taking the survey in the Chinese language.
Conclusions
The findings suggest that race exerts a differential impact on HRQoL. Interventions should be designed to address the distinct cultural, linguistic, and systemic needs of elderly Asian American cancer survivors. Such an approach could assist in reducing cancer-related health disparities.
Summary
Key Message
Secondary data analyses of the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results program and the Medicare Health Outcomes Survey combined datasets reveal that elderly Asian American cancer survivors had poorer mental health-related quality of life (HRQoL) compared to their non-Hispanic White counterparts. Elderly Asian American cancer survivors who did not complete the survey in English had significantly worse mental HRQoL than their Asian American counterparts who did. These findings point to the need for increased research to identify and address the distinct cultural, linguistic, and system-related needs of elderly Asian American cancer survivors in order to optimize HRQoL in this population.

JPMPH : Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health