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Global Health Econ Sustain Disparities in cancer outcomes

5. Conclusion from the IARC based on GLOBOCAN 2020 estimates
introduces potential challenges. The accuracy and
This study represents a notable achievement as it uncovered reliability of these estimates are contingent upon the quality
correlations between essential health system attributes, and comprehensiveness of the data reported by individual
particularly the degree of UHC gauged by the UHC Index, countries. Disparities in data collection methods,
and the availability of public cancer centers measured by reporting standards, and health-care infrastructures
their number per 10,000 individuals diagnosed with cancer. could impact the robustness of the findings. In addition,
These factors are identified as predictors for improving the utilization of country-level data, often sourced from
cancer mortality rates. surveys, presents another constraint. Nevertheless, data
Based on the extensive dataset, it is indicated that in curated by the WHO undergoes stringent scrutiny for
countries where late-stage cancer diagnoses are common, a accuracy through technical assessments conducted at the
focused approach toward cancer early detection initiatives national level.
should strive to attain a target where 60% of invasive However, reliance on data reported by countries,
cancers are detected at stage I or II. This threshold emerges including cancer registration and the oversight of crucial
as a significant measure for effective cancer downstaging health system elements, may lead to incomplete or
efforts. potentially insufficient information in certain instances.
These discoveries provide substantial direction for Another limitation arises from possible disparities in the
the WHO in its worldwide endeavors to enhance cancer timing of data collection, which introduces complexities
outcomes. The data emphasizes the crucial influence of in the correlational analysis when the data are not
health system attributes and targeted interventions in contemporaneous. To mitigate this, the study prioritized
fostering advancements in cancer mortality rates globally. the utilization of the most recent WHO (2020) reports
This analysis underscores the vital significance of sufficient to minimize temporal discrepancies. Furthermore, the
early detection, combined with prompt access to affordable analysis concentrates on a specific timeframe (2020) for
and efficacious cancer treatment, as the fundamental cancer-related metrics. Cancer outcomes, health-care
requirement for attaining enduring decreases in cancer expenditures, and health system attributes may have
mortality across the globe (Santucci et al., 2020). evolved over time, and the study does not accommodate
these temporal fluctuations.
The 2030 UN SDGs emphasize the significance of
ensuring universal access to high-quality health-care The current analysis may not entirely encapsulate shifts
services without imposing financial burdens. Although in cancer care and health-care policies, and certain health
per-capita income typically reflects a country’s UHC Index system attributes might not precisely reflect real-world
score, there are discrepancies in performance among practices within countries. For example, while national-
countries sharing similar income levels. Effective UHC level cancer management guidelines may exist, their
performance is associated with the portion of a nation’s adherence at the local or subnational level is not guaranteed.
health-care budget administered through governmental Likewise, the presence of early detection services does not
and social health insurance programs. necessarily imply comprehensive coverage among the
broader population. To address this complexity, the WHO
The UHC index serves as a metric to monitor progress
toward SDG indicator 3.8.1 and is based on key interventions integrates data on the dedicated funding allocated for these
services—an indicator of their actual implementation.
related to essential health services, covering reproductive,
maternal, neonatal, and child health, infectious diseases, Acknowledgments
and NCDs, as well as health-care capacity and accessibility.
Notably, a previous study spanning from 1990 to 2010 across None.
79 countries found that increased unemployment correlated Funding
with higher mortality rates in aggregated cancers (including
female breast, prostate, and colorectal cancers) (Duggan None.
et al., 2021; Maruthappu et al., 2016). However, it was
observed that the implementation of UHC appeared to offer Conflict of interest
a protective effect against this correlation, indicating the The authors declare that they have no competing interests.
potential beneficial impact of UHC in mitigating the adverse
consequences of rising unemployment on cancer mortality. Author contributions
This study recognizes several inherent limitations in Conceptualization: All authors
its analytical methodology. Firstly, the reliance on data Investigation: Maria Asensio

Volume 2 Issue 2 (2024) 8 https://doi.org/10.36922/ghes.3216