Page 154 - GHES-2-2

Global Health Econ Sustain Disparities in cancer outcomes

intermediate position between the aforementioned groups.
They exhibit trends akin to those observed in Continental
and Nordic countries, indicating a propensity for lower
mortality rates alongside increased levels of health
expenditure and UHC, in contrast to Baltic, Southeastern,
and Central Eastern countries. No significant associations
were identified with age-standardized cancer incidence
or the number of prevalent cases in 2020 (over a 5-year
period).
In summary, the regression analyses indicate regional
patterns in the relationship between age-standardized
Figure 1. Linear regression for estimated age-standardized mortality mortality rates, health expenditure, and UHC. The results
in 2020 based on health expenditure as a percentage of gross domestic suggest that certain groups of countries, such as those in
product by country region.
Note: Countries are classified as follows: Anglo-EU: Ireland; Nordic continental Europe and the Nordic region, tend to have
EU: Denmark, Finland, and Sweden; Continental EU: Austria, Belgium, lower mortality rates along with higher levels of health
France, Germany, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands; Continental expenditure and UHC, while Baltic, Southeastern, and
Europe: Switzerland; Southeastern EU: Bulgaria, Croatia, and Romania; Central Eastern countries tend to exhibit the opposite
Southern EU: Cyprus, Greece, Italy, Malta, Portugal, and Spain; pattern. Southern European countries fall in between these
Central Eastern EU: Czechia, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, and Slovenia;
Baltic EU: Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania; EU: European Union. two groups in terms of the observed variables.
4. Discussion
Our analysis introduces novel insights, emphasizing
that countries with lower cancer mortality rates possess
distinctive attributes, notably characterized by enhanced
coverage of essential health services and a higher prevalence
of public cancer centers. In addition, this investigation
reveals a compelling correlation among countries that
have achieved sustained reductions in cancer mortality,
indicating a scenario where most cancers are diagnosed at
early stages.
A comprehensive examination of cancer care policies
is essential to identify best practices, allocate resources
Figure 2. Linear regression for estimated age-standardized mortality in
2020 based on universal health coverage service by country region. efficiently, and integrate preventive measures. Data from
Note: Countries are classified as follows: Anglo-EU: Ireland; Nordic the WHO in 2022 underscore the variation in health-
EU: Denmark, Finland, and Sweden; Continental EU: Austria, Belgium, care expenditures and cancer treatment outcomes among
France, Germany, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands; Continental European countries. Notably, EU countries, such as
Europe: Switzerland; Southeastern EU: Bulgaria, Croatia, and Romania;
Southern EU: Cyprus, Greece, Italy, Malta, Portugal, and Spain; Portugal, Denmark, and Spain, demonstrate higher health-
Central Eastern EU: Czechia, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, and Slovenia; care expenditures coupled with more favorable cancer
Baltic EU: Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania; EU: European Union. treatment outcomes compared to other countries, such as
Estonia, Hungary, and Ireland. The difference in health-
Germany, the Netherlands, and Switzerland), along with care spending and treatment outcomes raises a crucial
Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, and Sweden) will question about the underlying cancer care policies in
display lower age-standardized mortality rates in 2020. European countries. While some countries invest more in
Furthermore, these countries tend to showcase elevated healthcare, yielding better results in cancer treatment, the
health expenditure as a percentage of GDP and increased lack of a comprehensive examination of overall cancer care
levels of UHC services. This observation implies that, on policies within the EU impedes a deeper understanding of
average, these regions portray a blend of reduced mortality these disparities.
rates alongside relatively higher levels of health expenditure Exploring these nuances is imperative to identify best
and UHC. practices and areas that require improvement across the
Southern European countries, including Cyprus, EU. Furthermore, a comprehensive examination of cancer
Greece, Italy, Malta, Portugal, and Spain, occupy an care policies can provide valuable insights into effective

Volume 2 Issue 2 (2024) 6 https://doi.org/10.36922/ghes.3216