Journey towards equity: Unveiling the relationship between patient travel distance and social vulnerability among patients with cancer.

158 Background: Patient travel distance is a significant barrier to accessing high-quality cancer care, impacting patient outcomes. Factors such as geographic location, transportation infrastructure, and socio-economic status contribute to variations in patient travel distance. The relationship between patient travel distance and the area deprivation index (ADI), a measure of socioeconomic disadvantage (based on income, education, employment, and housing quality) and social vulnerability of neighborhoods developed by the Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA), remains largely unexplored. This abstract seeks to unveil the intricate relationship between patient travel distance and ADI, shedding light on the impact of social vulnerability on cancer care access. Methods: Using patient ZIP code data and practice location data from April 2023 to March 2024, we calculated the straight-line, one-way, patient-clinic travel distance (travel distance). We then derived the ADI for patient ZIP codes using geospatial mapping techniques and compared travel distances by area deprivation vulnerability categories. Results: While analyzing geographic data for 20,000 patients at 5 locations, we observed that 89% of patients traveled 15 miles or less one-way to reach the practice location, with a median travel distance of 5 miles. Median travel distance in miles for patients within 15 miles of each practice location by ADI vulnerability category is provided (Table). Median travel distances between ADI categories were statistically significant (Kruskal Wallis H-test, p <0.001). Patients from the most disadvantaged neighborhoods generally travel longer distances to access cancer care. Conclusions: Patients in socially vulnerable locales generally travel longer distances to access cancer care. By considering the ADI alongside patient travel distance, healthcare providers and policymakers can understand barriers faced by disadvantaged populations and allocate resources to reduce disparities in access to care. Targeted interventions and policies, like improving transportation services/infrastructure, empowering community-based care locations, and expanding telehealth, are necessary to address travel distance disparities for vulnerable populations. The effects of increased travel distance on timely access to care, treatment adherence, health outcomes, finances, caregivers, and patient satisfaction warrant further investigation. Location Site Category Within 15 miles of the practice location % of patients Median travel distance (in miles) by overall ADI vulnerability Highest (8, 9, 10 ADI Rank) Mid High (5, 6, 7 ADI Rank) Low (1, 2, 3, 4 ADI Rank) A Suburban Metro 89.8% 13.5 2.2 4.7 B Suburban Small Town 86.7% 12.5 13.03 8.5 C Suburban Metro 85.1% 14.9 9.4 5.9 D Suburban Metro 90.9% 12.9 9.6 4.7 E Urban Metro 93.6% 12.9 4.8 2.7 ALL 89% 12.5 6.3 5.0