A recent study has revealed a significant disparity in COVID-19 mortality rates between Non-Hispanic Black and Non-Hispanic White cancer patients, highlighting the role of comorbidities in this difference. The study, based on data from the Louisiana Tumour Registry, explored how the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI), a measure of comorbidities, might explain the increased risk of death from COVID-19 among these populations.
The research found that Non-Hispanic Black cancer patients were 6.46 times more likely to die from COVID-19 than their Non-Hispanic White counterparts. Comorbidities, as measured by the CCI, accounted for 12.7% of this mortality gap, with renal disease emerging as the most significant contributor, explaining 4.9% of the difference.
This study is one of the first to focus specifically on how comorbidities might influence COVID-19 mortality differences in cancer patients. By identifying renal disease as a major factor, the findings suggest that better management of chronic conditions could be key to reducing COVID-19-related deaths, particularly in vulnerable populations.
These results underline the need for targeted interventions to manage chronic diseases and mitigate the impact of COVID-19, especially for racial and ethnic groups at higher risk. Addressing these health disparities could help reduce the disproportionate burden of the pandemic on certain communities.
Helena Bradbury, EMJ
Reference
Vaidya L et al. Differences in Covid-19 deaths amongst cancer patients and possible mediators for this relationship. Sci Reports. 2025; https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-95037-3.
