The study compared the rate of brain cancer among people with low income (those enrolled in Medicaid) to all other people who developed brain cancer in the state of Michigan. Medicaid is a government program providing medical assistance for people with very low incomes. The study was conducted by identifying all of the new cases of brain cancer that occurred during a two-year period in the state of Michigan, and classifying those with low income as those who were eligible for Medicaid. Brain cancer cases occurring in people under age 25 or over age 84 were not included. A total of 1,006 cases were studied.

The overall rate of brain cancer was 8.1 cases per 100,000 people. Of those with low incomes, there were 14.2 cases per 100,000 people, compared to 7.5 cases per 100,000 for all other persons.

The difference was greatest among younger people. Men under age 44 with low incomes were at least four times more likely to develop brain cancer than those not classified as having low income. Women with low incomes under age 44 were at least 2.6 times more likely to develop brain cancer than those who were not classified as having low income.

The difference grew smaller with age. For people over age 67, there was no significant difference in the likelihood of developing brain cancer between persons with a low income and all other persons.

Although it's possible that the results are because people with brain tumors become eligible for Medicaid due to disability from the tumor, the researchers feel there are other reasons for the results.

"The short survival time for this type of cancer combined with the Medicaid requirement that you spend your assets and be disabled for at least 12 months may make it difficult for a middle-
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Contact: Kathy Stone
kstone@aan.com
651-695-2763
American Academy of Neurology
24-May-2004