Evaluating the impact of hurricanes and the COVID-19 pandemic on colorectal cancer incidence in Puerto Rico: An interrupted time-series analysis.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Major events, such as Hurricanes Irma and Maria and the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic disrupted Puerto Rico's health system. Lack of access to colorectal cancer (CRC) screening services may have impeded timely diagnosis. The authors examined the impact of these events on CRC incidence in Puerto Rico.

Methods

The Puerto Rico Central Cancer Registry database allowed the authors to obtain CRC cases from 2012 to 2021. An interrupted time-series analysis was performed to examine changes in CRC incidence immediately after and during the periods after the hurricanes and the pandemic. Analysis periods included: pre-hurricanes, post-hurricanes, and post-COVID-19 lockdown restrictions.

Results

We observed a level change of -8.3 CRC cases was observed i

SUBMITTER: Suarez-Ramos T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11994980 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature