Community Engagement & Health Equity
Sep 16, 2020
Today, the American Association of Cancer Research (AACR) released its inaugural Cancer Disparities Progress Report, which outlines the enormous toll that cancer exacts on racial and ethnic minorities and other underserved populations, highlights areas of progress in reducing these disparities and provides specific recommendations for achieving health equity. As a member of the AACR Steering Committee that contributed to the report, VCU Massey Cancer Center Director Robert Winn, M.D., was part of a virtual Congressional briefing on the findings.
The Congressional briefing included remarks from bipartisan members of congress, cancer survivors and representatives from AACR and the report’s Steering Committee.
“This report provides a stark look at facts surrounding cancer disparities and the overall health inequities that communities of color and underserved populations face in our society,” says Winn, who is also the senior associate dean for cancer innovation and a professor in the Division of Pulmonary Disease and Critical Care Medicine at the VCU School of Medicine. “The current pandemic has shown a spotlight on many of these issues and it is incumbent upon all of us to take action. I hope this report will help lead to the structural changes we need to make a difference.”
The report highlighted many enduring disparities faced by racial and ethnic minorities and other underserved populations:
However, the report also noted that progress has been made in several areas:
This progress has been slow and there are still monumental challenges that need to be addressed. The report highlights the need for increased, sustainable funding for organizations and programs tasked with reducing health disparities, increasing diversity in clinical research and prioritizing cancer control initiatives, among other measures.
“At VCU Massey Cancer Center, we serve a diverse urban and rural population that has been significantly impacted by the factors outlined in this report,” says Winn. “I take this responsibility seriously and it is important that we do all that we can to ensure everyone has access to the best health care possible regardless of their race or zip code.”
Massey is inviting the community to learn more about disparities and their impact on cancer research, treatment and outcomes by joining the Facts, Faith and Health Justice webinar on September 17. The webinar will feature health disparities experts Winn and Vanessa Sheppard, Ph.D., from Massey, alongside Delegate Delores McQuinn, and Pastor Todd Gray from the Fifth Street Baptist Church for a timely conversation about health, racial inequity and cancer. The public is invited to register online.
In addition, Massey will be launching its 25 for 25: Health, Equity and Justice campaign on October 1 to help increase awareness of the health disparities that exist throughout Virginia and raise money to address them through cancer prevention, control and survivorship efforts. Follow the Team Massey Facebook page or visit teammassey.org/25for25 to get involved.
The full AACR Cancer Disparities Progress Report is available online at CancerDisparitiesProgressreport.org.
Written by: John Wallace
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