Primary malignant brain tumor incidence and Medicaid enrollment

Background: The relationship between socioeconomic status and health care disparities in the incidence of brain tumors is unclear. Objective: To identify the associations between age, sex, and Medicaid enrollment and the incidence of primary malignant brain tumors in Michigan in 1996 and 1997. Methods: Records were obtained from the Michigan Cancer Surveillance Program on the 1,006 incident cases during this period and cross-checked with Medicaid enrollment files. Results: Persons enrolled in Medicaid were more likely than non-enrolled persons to develop a malignant brain tumor of any type, a glioblastoma multiforme, and an astrocytoma for certain subgroups. In addition, incidence rates for malignant brain tumors in persons enrolled in Medicaid peaked at a younger age. Conclusion: Sociodemographic status may be associated with cerebral malignancy and should be considered when targeting treatment and educational interventions at persons at risk.