Reducing Health Disparities

Share

Volunteers at the Capitol

Cancer impacts everyone, but it doesn’t impact everyone equally. We are working to ensure everyone has a fair and just opportunity to prevent, find, treat, and survive cancer. No one should be disadvantaged in their fight against cancer because of how much money they make, the color of their skin, their sexual orientation, their gender identity, their disability status, or where they live.

From ensuring greater diversity among clinical trial participants to improving access to quality, affordable health care, we are asking lawmakers to reduce disparities in cancer care by advancing policies that break down existing barriers.

Black women are 40% more likely to die of breast cancer than white women overall

Latest Updates

See More Updates

Lives On The Line As FDA Continues to Delay Finalizing Rules on Menthol in Cigarettes and Flavors in Cigars

April 26, 2023
National

Last year, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released its proposed rules to eliminate menthol cigarettes and eliminate all flavors in cigars. Now, nearly one year later, the rules are still not final. This inaction has allowed Big Tobacco to continue targeting these products to the Black community, who consistently reports the highest prevalence of menthol cigarette use.

Patient Groups Urge U.S. Court of Appeals to Prevent Discrimination Against LGBTQ+ Patients

April 3, 2023
National

More than a dozen patient groups representing millions of Americans with serious and chronic health conditions are urging the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit to preserve protections in the Affordable Care Act (ACA) for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ+) patients receiving health care services in the case of Neese vs. Becerra .

American Cancer Society and ACS CAN Statement: White House’s Cancer Moonshot National Cancer Plan

April 3, 2023
National

Today’s announcement of the National Cancer Plan is another exciting step toward advancing cancer research, prevention and treatment. The American Cancer Society (ACS) and its advocacy affiliate, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) , commit to working alongside the Moonshot Initiative to improve the lives of cancer patients and their families.

Legislation Aimed at Eliminating Financial Barriers to Prostate Cancer Screening Introduced in the House

March 29, 2023
National

The PSA Screening for HIM Act was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives on March 28, 2023. This bipartisan legislative proposal would waive cost-sharing requirements for men with the highest risk of prostate cancer, focusing on Black men and those with a family history of the disease.

Reducing Health Disparities Resources

The PSA Screening for HIM Act (H.R. 1826)

March 29, 2023

The PSA Screening for HIM Act  (H.R. 1826) would remove out-of-pocket costs for prostate cancer screening for those at highest risk for the disease. 

Congress Should Reauthorize the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program

February 28, 2023

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP) is highly effective at detecting and treating breast and cervical cancer in low-income, uninsured, and underinsured women – who may otherwise not be screened. The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) urges Congress to reauthorize this critical program by passing the Screening for Communities to Receive Early and Equitable Needed Services (SCREENS) for Cancer Act.

The National Breast & Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program

February 28, 2023

For 30 years, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program has decreased disparities in breast and cervical cancer deaths.