In our sequential mixed-methods study, we used quantitative and qualitative methods to: (1) quantify social health risk in patients with glioma using standardized social determinant of health (SDH) measures and (2) understand which SDHs were salient in glioma patients.

100 glioma patients were surveyed (age 53±14.9 years, 49% male, 49 stable disease, 51 active surveillance) and 23 patients were interviewed. The overall mean SDH risk score was low (4-out-of-38) though 99% of patients reported at least some social health risk. Compared to patients receiving active treatment, those in surveillance had higher SDH scores (AHC 1.26 vs 0.60, p=0.05). Qualitatively, themes emerged within all SDH domains including: loss of income (economics), commitment to burdensome treatment times (healthcare), and avoidance strategies when dealing with fear and uncertainty (social context).

Given the low social health risk on quantitative surveys and the salient reports in qualitative interviews, disease-specific SDH assessments are needed for glioma patients. Additionally, social support and early survivorship care in the post-treatment period are critical for glioma patients to reduce social health risk. Based on these data, caregiver interviews are being conducted to triangulate patient-reported findings and characterize actionable SDHs for future intervention.