Enhancing Health Equity Through Cancer Health Economics Research

Role of Health Equity in Health Technology Assessment Processes: A Landscape Analysis of 13 Health Systems in Asia

OBJECTIVES

This landscape analysis aimed to summarize the role of health equity in the health technology assessment (HTA) process (topic nomination, topic prioritization, assessment, appraisal, and decision making) in Asia.

METHODS

A comprehensive literature review was conducted, followed by in-depth interviews with key informants. Content analysis was performed to summarize the role of health equity in HTA in 13 health systems in Asia, including Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam.

RESULTS

Health equity was reported to be considered in most health systems' HTA processes, except for Cambodia and Myanmar, which do not have an established HTA process. Interviews revealed that health equity has been more frequently considered to address the unmet medical needs of specific diseases (eg, high disease burden or severity, rare diseases, cancer, and diseases affecting children and the elderly) in Brunei Darussalam, China, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam or inequities in socially disadvantaged groups (eg, socioeconomic status and geographical location) in Indonesia and the Philippines. Equity-informative economic evaluation was still in the early stages, with only 3 health systems reporting their use.

CONCLUSIONS

Health equity is considered in the HTA process in most Asian health systems. However, quantitative evaluation of health equity impact is still in its infancy because few health systems have just begun to perform equity-informative economic evaluations.

Association between Socioecological Status, Nutrient Intake, and Cancer Screening Behaviors in Adults Aged 40 and Over: Insights from the Eighth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES, 2019)

Cancer screening is pivotal for early detection and improved survival rates. While socio-ecological factors are known to influence screening uptake, the role of lifestyle, dietary habits, and general health in shaping these decisions remains underexplored. Utilizing the 2019 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES), this study examined the myriad of factors impacting cancer screening utilization. Data from 274,872 adults aged 40 years or older were scrutinized, highlighting demographics, income, lifestyle behaviors, health-related variables, nutrient intake, and dietary quality. A combination of descriptive statistics and logistic regression helped us ascertain influential determinants. Higher educational attainment and income quartiles were positively correlated with cancer screening rates. Regular walkers, those engaged in moderate physical activity, and individuals with a previous cancer diagnosis were more likely to get screened. High-risk drinkers and smokers were less inclined towards screening. Dietary habits also influenced screening decisions. Notably, participants with healthier eating behaviors, indicated by factors such as regular breakfasts and fewer meals out, were more likely to undergo screening. Additionally, nutrient intake analysis revealed that those who had undergone screening consumed greater quantities of most nutrients, bar a few exceptions. For individuals aged 50-64, nutritional assessment indicators highlighted a higher mean adequacy ratio (MAR) and index of nutritional quality (INQ) value among those who participated in screening, suggesting better nutritional quality. This study elucidates the complex socio-ecological and nutritional landscape influencing cancer screening decisions. The results underscore the importance of a holistic approach, emphasizing lifestyle, dietary habits, and socio-economic considerations. It provides a roadmap for policymakers to craft more inclusive screening programs, ensuring equal access and promoting early detection.