Beyond UV Rays: Examining Health Disparities in Melanoma Outcomes Through a Social Lens

Melanoma, despite being only 1% of all skin malignancies, is the primary cause of skin cancer-related deaths in the United States. Identifying key risk factors associated with melanoma is crucial to diagnosing and treating it promptly due to its high metastatic potential. One area of emerging research is examining social determinants of health (SDOH) as a risk factor for melanoma. Populations with a higher socioeconomic and educational status are more likely to be diagnosed with melanoma but less likely to be diagnosed with later-stage melanoma and have better survival outcomes. This review synthesizes current research regarding melanoma and the five domains of SDOH – economic stability, education access and quality, health care access and quality, neighborhood and built environment, and social and community context – and its impact on different populations. A comprehensive search was conducted on PubMed and Google Scholar using keywords within the topics of melanoma, skin cancer, social determinants of health, and health disparities. Twenty-seven articles published in peer-reviewed journals since 2014 and written in English were included. While older research focused strongly on the impact that socioeconomic status had on melanoma outcomes, this review found that other facets of SDOH (i.e., health literacy, English language proficiency, differences between rural and urban healthcare, and social networks) play an equally important role in how melanoma impacts individuals. A deeper understanding of the barriers to equitable dermatological care will help to inform and improve future clinical practice and health policies regarding melanoma treatment and outcomes.