Differences in COVID-19 preventive behaviors among Black and White cancer survivors in North Carolina.

PURPOSE

Engaging in COVID-19 preventive behaviors (e.g., wearing masks) can be particularly important for cancer survivors to avoid infectious disease. This cross-sectional study aimed to examine preventive behaviors of Black and White cancer survivors residing in North Carolina during the COVID-19 pandemic.

METHODS

From February through September 2022, we recruited 548 cancer survivors from the University of North Carolina Health Registry/Cancer Survivorship Cohort. Participants completed a retrospective survey about their COVID-preventive behaviors between March 2020 and December 2020 (Time 1) and within the last 30 days (Time 2). We examined differences and changes over time in the prevalence of behaviors by race.

RESULTS

At Time 1, Black cancer survivors had a higher prevalence of wearing gloves (adjusted prevalence ratio [aPR], 2.99; 95% CI 1.33-6.75), limiting visitors inside their homes (aPR, 1.22; 95% CI, 1.06-1.39), and avoiding public spaces, gatherings, and crowds (aPR, 1.13; 95% CI, 1.01-1.26) compared to White cancer survivors. While both Black and White cancer survivors decreased the prevalence of preventive behaviors at Time 2, White cancer survivors decreased their preventive behaviors at a greater rate than Black cancer survivors.

CONCLUSIONS

Black cancer survivors took more behavioral precautions and continued them over time at a higher rate than White cancer survivors. Despite the use of individual-level COVID-related preventive measures, inequities in COVID-related morbidity and mortality persist, underscoring the need for more multi-level interventions to address COVID-related inequities.

IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS

State and local prioritization of equitable resource allocation to cancer survivors may improve long-term survivorship care and well-being.