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.