Trust of Black patients in government-provided cancer health information has fallen by almost 50% due to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to studies. Researchers used the responses of over 7,300 patients to assess whether trust in cancer-related information from governmental, clinical, social, and community sources had changed between 2018 and 2020. Black respondents in 2018 trusted cancer information from family and friends, while other non-Hispanic respondents had little confidence in government agencies, with only 15.70% expressing trust. The pandemic significantly impacted trust levels across both racial/ethnic groups, with non-Hispanic Black individuals experiencing a 53% decline in the odds of reporting a high degree of trust compared to pre-COVID-19.
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused significant disruptions in the healthcare industry, and the effects have extended beyond the disease itself. Recent studies show that the trust of Black patients in government-provided cancer health information has plummeted by almost 50 percent. The pandemic coincided with a period of increased awareness of systemic racism and concerns over misinformation dissemination on media platforms, which may have influenced public trust in health information concerning chronic diseases like cancer.
To evaluate whether there was a change in patient trust in cancer-related information from governmental, clinical, social, and community sources between 2018 and 2020, researchers used responses from over 7,300 patients. Additionally, researchers examined how these changes may have varied across different racial and ethnic groups.
In 2018, Black respondents most trusted cancer information from family and friends, while other non-Hispanic respondents showed the lowest confidence in government agencies, with only 15.70 percent expressing trust. However, the pandemic significantly impacted trust levels across both racial/ethnic groups. Notably, during the pandemic, non-Hispanic Black individuals experienced a 53 percent decline in the odds of reporting a high degree of trust compared to before the emergence of COVID-19.
The eroding trust in cancer information from authorities such as government health agencies highlights the need to closely monitor changes in access to cancer prevention services. This decline in trust may eventually worsen racial/ethnic disparities in cancer cases and deaths. To counter these potential issues, leveraging the high trust in doctors among individuals could be a valuable approach.
Ensuring access to a doctor can facilitate effective communication of cancer screening and vaccination recommendations to all, irrespective of their background or ethnicity. Moreover, adopting health equity frameworks to direct community outreach and advocacy initiatives, guaranteeing that marginalized populations are not excluded from preventive care, is crucial. Strengthening relationships with community leaders to foster collaboration between healthcare systems and community organizations can ultimately promote health equity.
In conclusion, the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted healthcare services and eroded the trust of Black patients in government-provided cancer health information. The decline in trust may eventually worsen racial/ethnic disparities in cancer cases and deaths. To counter these potential issues, leveraging the high trust in doctors among individuals, adopting health equity frameworks, and strengthening relationships with community leaders are crucial.
