Conclusions
There is a well-established correlation between race and survival
outcomes in head and neck cancer. This population-based study
demonstrated that the black versus white racial disparity in overall
survival for HPV-associated OPSCC is only partially mediated by
differences in SES. The persistence of the disparity after adjustment
for demographic, clinical, and SES variables suggests the contribution
of unmeasured confounders. Future research should seek to elucidate
these determinants in order to fully address the racial disparity.