Study Links Higher Medical Debt in Counties to Increased Rates of Late-Stage Cancer Diagnoses

A study published in JAMA Network Open found a correlation between higher medical debt in U.S. counties and increased rates of late-stage cancer diagnoses. The research, which analyzed data from 2,958 counties, indicated that areas with more residents carrying medical debt in collections had higher incidences of late-stage lung, colorectal, cervical, melanoma, kidney, bladder, and head and neck cancers. This association persisted even after adjusting for socioeconomic factors, physician density, and rural/urban status.