ASCO Advocates for Inclusion of Social Determinants of Health in Pediatric Cancer Clinical Trials

Key Insights

• ASCO is urging the prioritization of health equity and the incorporation of social determinants of health (SDOH) data in pediatric cancer clinical trials.
• The recommendations aim to align infrastructure and funding within the National Clinical Trials Network (NCTN) Children’s Oncology Group (COG) studies.
• ASCO emphasizes that integrating SDOH data collection and intervention into treatment trials is critical for advancing SDOH interventions, especially in pediatric oncology.

ASCO is advocating for the inclusion of social determinants of health (SDOH) data in pediatric cancer clinical trials to improve treatment outcomes and survivorship. The organization's recent position statement addresses the need to incorporate SDOH data collection and intervention evaluation within National Clinical Trials Network (NCTN) Children’s Oncology Group (COG) studies.

Overcoming Challenges in SDOH Data Integration

Integrating SDOH data collection and social needs-related interventions into COG’s treatment protocols has faced challenges, including budget restrictions and potential infrastructure burdens on sites. However, ASCO highlights recent pediatric cooperative group studies demonstrating the feasibility and success of SDOH data collection. The COG’s Diversity and Health Disparities Committee also supports routine SDOH data collection to increase trial access, improve diversity, and reduce outcome disparities for diverse pediatric cancer populations.

Policy Statement on SDOH and Cancer Care

ASCO's policy statement earlier this year emphasized that interventions on social needs require both data collection and a research pipeline to evaluate intervention efficacy. Given the smaller pediatric patient population and their higher participation in clinical trials, integrating SDOH data collection and intervention into treatment trials is crucial for advancing SDOH interventions.

Recommendations for Streamlining Data Collection

To streamline pediatric data collection and social needs interventions within the NTCN, COG, and Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program (CTEP), ASCO recommends:

1. Prioritizing and funding embedded SDOH data collection on pediatric clinical trials, both federally and privately. Scientific rationale should be required for any failure to support such data collection in treatment trials.
2. Prioritizing and funding the inclusion of optional, embedded social needs or health equity interventions in COG research protocols, as the development and evaluation of these interventions can improve cancer-specific and long-term survivorship outcomes.