Assessing Employment Outcomes Among U.S. Cancer Survivors

Research Objectives: To identify key predictors influencing employment outcomes among cancer survivors in the U.S., focusing on sociodemographic, health, and psychological variables.

Design: A cross-sectional study utilized data from the 2022 NHIS dataset.

Setting: NHIS provides critical data on the health status, healthcare access, and health behaviors of the U.S. civilian, noninstitutionalized population. The survey employs a multistage area probability design that allows for representative sampling of households across the country, enabling comprehensive analyses of health trends and disparities.

Participants: The study sample comprised 1312 cancer survivors, variables assessed including participants' age, gender, education, marital status, health status, disability, social participation difficulty, depression, and anxiety on employment status.

Interventions: N/A

Main Outcome Measures: The primary outcome variable was employment status, categorized as employed or not employed during the last week.

Results: Significant predictors of employment included gender, age, education, and health status. Females had lower odds of being employed compared to males (OR = 0.56, 95% CI: 0.39-0.81). Older age was associated with lower employment odds (OR = 0.98, 95% CI: 0.96-0.99). Higher education levels were positively correlated with employment (OR = 2.45, 95% CI: 1.34-4.49). Better health status increased the likelihood of employment, while severe social participation difficulty and the presence of a disability decreased it.

Conclusions: Employment outcomes for cancer survivors are significantly influenced by gender, age, education, health status, and social participation difficulty. These findings highlight the need for targeted interventions to support cancer survivors, particularly those facing significant barriers. Addressing these factors through comprehensive health and vocational programs can improve their employment prospects.

Author(s) Disclosures: No conflicts or lack thereof.