Persistent Disparities and Emerging Risks
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A new report from CareQuest Institute finds higher rates of oral cancer among males who are aged 60 years and older, use alcohol and tobacco, and are enrolled in Medicaid.
The latest report examines the incidence (new cases), prevalence (all cases), and cost estimates for oral cancer in the US, drawing on medical and dental claims data from 2019–2022. A previous report analyzed similar data from 2012–2019, and this new report provides updates.
Key findings include:
- The incidence rate of oral cancer was consistently higher among Medicaid enrollees than among commercial insurance enrollees.
- The annual incidence rate decreased for Medicaid enrollees, from 67.1 to 49.0 cases per 100,000 enrollees, while among commercial insurance enrollees, the rate remained relatively stable.
- Costs associated with oral cancer were consistently higher for commercial insurance than for Medicaid.
Oral cancer is a common type of cancer. In the US, 60,000 new cases are expected to be diagnosed in 2026, with an estimated 12,000 deaths. The human papillomavirus (HPV) causes up to 60–70% of oral cancers, and the HPV vaccine has been found to lower the risk of developing oral cancer.
The authors write:
These findings highlight the need for enhanced screening and targeted prevention strategies for older adults and males to address persistent and shifting disparities in oral cancer diagnosis.”
You may also be interested in:
- Perceptions about HPV and Oropharyngeal Cancers, an article in The Journal of the American Dental Association examines US adults’ perceptions about the HPV vaccine and the role of dental care providers in HPV education.
- Discussing HPV and Detecting Oral Cancer: The Role of Oral Health Providers, a visual report that summarizes the relationship between HPV and oral cancer, and outlines how dentists and dental hygienists can educate patients and prevent HPV.
- Oral Cancer Prevalence, Mortality, and Costs in Medicaid and Commercial Insurance Claims Data, an article in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention that finds Medicaid enrollees experience higher rates of oral cancer than adults with commercial insurance.