Reducing Health Disparities

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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

September 16, 2026
Wisconsin

KENOSHA, Wis. – Wisconsin State Rep. Amanda Nedweski (R - Pleasant Prairie) received the National Distinguished Advocacy Award this week, the most prestigious award presented by the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN), in recognition of her significant contribution in the fight against cancer. ACS CAN presents

August 19, 2026
National

According to a new American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) survey, 89% of cancer patients and survivors say they would be more likely to participate in a clinical trial outside their local area if trial sponsors helped them organize or pay for travel and lodging to offset the extra travel.

July 22, 2026
National

The U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate today introduced legislation aimed at eliminating health disparities. Sponsored by Rep. Raul Ruiz (D-CA) and Sen. Alex Padilla (D-CA), the Health Equity and Accountability Act of 2026 offers a comprehensive policy framework that will help address health inequities that intersect with race and ethnicity as well as geography, immigration status, age, disability, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, language and socioeconomic status. The bill includes policy solutions that will help bolster cancer research and improve access to cancer prevention, early detection and care.

July 13, 2026
National

Nearly 200 patient advocacy, public health and health care professional organizations sent a letter to the Senate declaring their strong support for the Clinical Trial Modernization Act (S. 4440/H.R. 3521). The bipartisan, bicameral legislation would help remove cost and geographic barriers that keep patients from enrolling and participating in clinical trials. The bill was introduced in the U.S. Senate by Sens. Tim Scott (R-SC) and Mark Warner (D-VA) in April 2026 and in the U.S. House of Representatives in May 2025 by Reps. Raul Ruiz (D-CA) and August Pfluger (R-TX).

Reducing Health Disparities Resources

Despite notable advances in cancer prevention, screening, and treatment, not all individuals benefit equally from this important progress. This fact sheet provides an overview of current health disparities in cancer care and a snapshot of ACS CAN federal advocacy activities to eliminate these disparities and achieve health equity.

In order to reduce cancer mortality we must fight to achieve health equity, the just and fair opportunity for everyone to prevent, find, treat and survive cancer. This document shows a snapshot of how ACS CAN is fighting for health equity at the national, state and local levels.

Despite the fact that US cancer death rates have decreased by 26 percent from 1991 to 2015, not all Americans have benefited equally from the advances in prevention, early detection, and treatments that have helped achieve these lower rates.

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