Effects of cancer treatment on household impoverishment: a multicentre cross-sectional study in China

Objectives To determine the incidence and intensity of household impoverishment induced by cancer treatment in China. Design Average income daily consumption per capita households out-of-pocket payments for care were estimated. Household was determined comparing against Chinese poverty line (CPL, US$1.2) World Bank (WBPL, US$1.9) 2015. Both pre-treatment post-treatment consumptions calculated assuming that would divert money to pay treatment. Participants Cancer patients diagnosed initially from 1 January 2015 31 December 2016 who had received subsequently. Those with multiple diagnoses excluded. Data sources A questionnaire survey conducted on 2534 selected nine hospitals seven provinces through two-stage cluster/convenience sampling. Findings 5.89% (CPL) 12.94% (WBPL) impoverished after paying The adjusted OR (AOR) higher older (AOR=2.666–4.187 ≥50 years vs <50 years, p<0.001), those resided central region (AOR=2.619 eastern, p<0.01) lower (AOR=0.024–0.187 lowest 20%, p<0.001). without coverage social health insurance (AOR=1.880, p=0.040) experiencing than enrolled urban employees. is associated an increase 5.79% 12.45% impoverishment. median annual gap underneath accumulated reached US$128 or US$212 (WBPL). US$31 170 395 US$115 238 459 needed avoid Conclusions financial burden imposes a significant risk despite wide