A window into the risks of skin cancer development in unhoused populations and barriers to healthcare access
OA Version
Citation
Abstract
Unhoused populations in the United States face an elevated risk for the development of skin cancers and suboptimal health outcomes in treatment due to a combination of factors, including increased exposure to solar ultraviolet radiation, limited health literacy, and barriers to access to health services. Limited access to mitigation techniques and inadequate screening and prevention practices, both on the part of the individual and within public insurance frameworks, further exacerbate these risks. An unhoused individual's geographic location within the United States and skin color play a significant role in modulating an increase or decrease in one's risk for cancer development. Additionally, social determinants of health, such as socioeconomic status and societal stigmas, contribute to both the increased vulnerability and diminished treatment opportunities for unhoused individuals. Analysis of existing literature reveals how these aforementioned risk factors interact and compound to increase the vulnerability this population faces. The findings highlight that these cancer types, which are considered preventable for the general population, create a unique challenge for the unhoused, resulting in increased stigma and suboptimal health outcomes. While previous research underscores the complex nature of skin cancer risk and outcomes among the unhoused population, highlighting the interplay of various factors and their contribution to increasing disparities and treatment, a deeper understanding of the intersection of the factors is essential for addressing the unique challenges faced by this vulnerable group.
Description
2025
License
Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International