Facilitators of and barriers to gastric cancer and precursor diagnosis among South Texas residents: Social determinants of health

Abstract Background Latinos/Hispanics are at higher risk for developing gastric cancer (GC) compared with non‐Hispanic whites, and social determinants of health (SDoH) are thought to contribute. Aims/Materials and Methods This study addressed SDoH and their interactions contributing to disparities in the testing and treatment of Helicobacter pylori (HP) infection and diagnosis of GC and its known precursors, among Latinos/Hispanics relative to non‐Latinos at two affiliated but independent health systems in San Antonio, Texas, using a mixed methods approach. Results Secondary data abstraction and analysis showed that GCs represented 2.6% (n = 600) of our population. Men and older individuals were at higher GC risk. Individuals with military insurance were 2.7 times as likely to be diagnosed as private insurance. Latinos/Hispanics had significantly (24%) higher GC risk than Whites. Poverty and lack of insurance contributed to GC risk among the minorities classified as other (Asians, Native Americans, Multiracial; all p