Feasibility of oncology clinical trial-embedded evaluation of social
determinants of health
Abstract
Social determinants of health (SDoH) are associated with stark
disparities in cancer outcomes, but systematic SDoH data collection is
currently absent from oncology clinical trials. Trial-based SDoH data
are essential to ensure representation of marginalized populations,
contextualize outcomes, and identify health-equity intervention
opportunities. We report the feasibility of the first pediatric oncology
multicenter trial-embedded SDoH investigation. Among 448 trial
participants, 392 (87.5%) opted-in to the embedded SDoH study; 375
(95.7%) completed baseline surveys, with high longitudinal response
rates (87.2-92.8%) over 24-months of therapy. Trial-embedded SDoH data
collection is feasible and acceptable, and must be consistently included
within future oncology trials.