Cancer Medicine (Feb 2024)

LGBTQ+ inequity in crowdfunding cancer costs: The influence of online reach and LGBTQ+ state policy

  • Austin R. Waters,
  • Caleb W. Easterly,
  • Cindy Turner,
  • Lauren Ghazal,
  • Ida Tovar,
  • Megan Mulvaney,
  • Matt Poquadeck,
  • Stephen A. Rains,
  • Kristin G. Cloyes,
  • Anne C. Kirchhoff,
  • Erin E. Kent,
  • Echo L. Warner

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1002/cam4.6926
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 13, no. 3
pp. n/a – n/a

Abstract

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Abstract Background Emerging literature suggests that LGBTQ+ cancer survivors are more likely to experience financial burden than non‐LGBTQ+ survivors. However, LGBTQ+ cancer survivors experience with cost‐coping behaviors such as crowdfunding is understudied. Methods We aimed to assess LGBTQ+ inequity in cancer crowdfunding by combining community‐engaged and technology‐based methods. Crowdfunding campaigns were web‐scraped from GoFundMe and classified as cancer‐related and LGBTQ+ or non‐LGBTQ+ using term dictionaries. Bivariate analyses and generalized linear models were used to assess differential effects in total goal amount raised by LGBTQ+ status. Stratified models were run by online reach and LGBTQ+ inclusivity of state policy. Results A total of N = 188,342 active cancer‐related crowdfunding campaigns were web‐scraped from GoFundMe in November 2022, of which N = 535 were LGBTQ+ and ranged from 2014 to 2022. In multivariable models of recent campaigns (2019–2022), LGBTQ+ campaigns raised $1608 (95% CI: −2139, −1077) less than non‐LGBTQ+ campaigns. LGBTQ+ campaigns with low (26–45 donors), moderate (46–87 donors), and high (88–240 donors) online reach raised on average $1152 (95% CI: −$1589, −$716), $1050 (95% CI: −$1737, −$364), and $2655 (95% CI: −$4312, −$998) less than non‐LGBTQ+ campaigns respectively. When stratified by LGBTQ+ inclusivity of state level policy states with anti‐LGBTQ+ policy/lacking equitable policy raised on average $1910 (95% CI: −2640, −1182) less than non‐LGBTQ+ campaigns from the same states. Conclusions and Relevance Our findings revealed LGBTQ+ inequity in cancer‐related crowdfunding, suggesting that LGBTQ+ cancer survivors may be less able to address financial burden via crowdfunding in comparison to non‐LGBTQ+ cancer survivors—potentially widening existing economic inequities.

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