The Center on Health Equity and Access spotlights the latest health equity news, research, and initiatives to reduce health care disparities and improve access to care.
Biden-Harris Administration Launches Initiative Targeting Poverty-Associated Cancer Disparities
The Persistent Poverty Initiative, which aims to reduce the effects of persistent poverty on cancer outcomes, was launched with $50 million awarded by the Biden-Harris administration, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) announced. The initiative creates 5 new Centers for Cancer Control Research in Persistent Poverty Areas and aims to address the cumulative effects of persistent poverty on cancer outcomes through increased research capacity, cancer prevention research, and community-based programs in low-income areas.
EPA Closes “Cancer Alley” Investigation, Finds No Discrimination
An Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) civil rights probe into the state of Louisiana concluded there was no discrimination against Black residents living in a heavily polluted area nicknamed “Cancer Alley,” The Hill reported. Environmental groups claimed that a facility run by Denka was permitted to release high levels of carcinogens and likely carcinogens disproportionately affecting St John the Baptist Parish in Louisiana, causing the majority Black population to “face the highest cancer risk from air pollution in the nation,” according to The Hill. The agency ordered Denka to lower its emissions and filed a civil rights complaint against the company, but environmental advocates said they are disappointed by the decision to close the investigation into the state and do not feel justice has been brought to the residents.
Study Links Food Insecurity, Poor Cardiovascular Health in the US
A research letter published in JAMA Network Open suggests that food insecurity and participation in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)—which aims to reduce food insecurity among vulnerable populations—may be barriers to cardiovascular health. In the study, participants in SNAP who had very low food insecurity were the least likely to have moderate or ideal cardiovascular health. Those with more severe food insecurity also showed worse trends in diet, tobacco use, sleep health, body mass index, and serum glucose scores.
Improving Diversity in Clinical Trials for Cancer Drugs
An article published in the journal Clinical Cancer Research outlines current practices, challenges, and opportunities to improve diversity in clinical trials for cancer drugs. The paper emphasizes the need for intentionally planned clinical trials to ensure the inclusion of more diverse populations in cancer drug development, as well as shared learning and collaboration between stakeholders to improve strategies for increased diversity going forward.
Race/Ethnicity May Influence Local Recurrence in DCIS, Adjuvant Treatment
December 6th 2023Disparities in 10-year local recurrence following breast-conserving surgery were seen among women with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) treated over a nearly 4-decade span at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, with Black women having the highest rate.
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Oncology Onward: A Conversation With Thyme Care CEO and Cofounder Robin Shah
October 2nd 2023Robin Shah, CEO of Thyme Care, which he founded in 2020 with Bobby Green, MD, president and chief medical officer, joins hosts Emeline Aviki, MD, MBA, and Stephen Schleicher, MD, MBA, to discuss his evolution as an entrepreneur in oncology care innovation and his goal of positively changing how patients experience the cancer system.
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SDOH in Cancer Care Highlight Multifactorial Equity Issues
December 6th 2023A trio of speakers addressed the importance of social determinants of health (SDOH) in cancer care on day 1 of the 46th annual San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium in the session, “Social Determinants of Health: Impact on Cancer Care.”
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Insufficient Data, Disparities Plague Lung Cancer Risk Factor Documentation
September 24th 2023On this episode of Managed Care Cast, we speak with the senior author of a study published in the September 2023 issue of The American Journal of Managed Care® on the importance of adequate and effective lung cancer risk factor documentation to determine a patient's eligibility for screening.
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Health Equity and Access Weekly Roundup: December 2, 2023
December 2nd 2023The Center on Health Equity and Access highlights the most recent updates in the realm of health equity, including news, research findings, and initiatives focused on mitigating health care disparities and enhancing overall access to quality care.
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