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Health Equity

In partnership with our member cancer programs and practices, the Association of Community Cancer Centers (ACCC) shares a commitment to advancing delivery and access to high-quality cancer care. Across healthcare—and cancer care—we recognize the critical need to lessen and eliminate health disparities by advancing health equity.

Health equity is achieved when all individuals have the opportunity to reach their full health potential without being held back by their social position or other socially-determined circumstances. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention defines health equity simply and clearly: it is when everyone has the opportunity to be as healthy as possible.

ACCC recognizes the value patients place on receiving treatment in their home communities. By supporting our members and the entire oncology specialty, we can prioritize equity, diversity, and inclusion in quality cancer care delivery, as well as within the oncology workforce.

ACCC continues to develop resources and tools to better understand and support equity initiatives in cancer prevention and detection, diagnosis and treatment, access to clinical trials, survivorship and end-of-life care. Please continue to check this webpage for new updates on this important work.

3,2,1 Go! is a community-based educational initiative that seeks to improve equity in cancer care by identifying and addressing disparities across communities in the states of Hawaii, Texas, and Arizona.

In response to the need for cancer screening and care in Appalachia, ACCC—together with several of its state chapters—launched the ACCA to identify effective evidence-based practices that can be replicated throughout the region.

The Eliminating Precision Medicine Disparities Project works to better understand the barriers and challenges faced by lung cancer patients in underserved communities who seek equal access to precision medicine.

ACCC has partnered with the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network and LUNGevity on an educational initiative to identify and address existing disparities in access to biomarker testing among Medicaid beneficiaries.

Increasing the role of oncology advanced practitioners and allowing them to practice at the top of their licensure is one way we can move toward more equitable cancer care, especially in rural and underserved areas.

This project will join other ACCC initiatives that are addressing inequities in cancer care, including increasing the representation of underserved populations in cancer clinical trials and eliminating disparities in access to precision medicine.

To best meet the individual needs of the diverse patient populations they serve, multidisciplinary cancer care teams must appreciate their patients’ distinct characteristics and personalize their care if they want to achieve optimal health outcomes.

The goal of this work is to partner with multidisciplinary cancer care teams, social workers, patient advocates, health equity experts, and other stakeholders to develop a screening tool for SDOH to be used in treating patients with cancer.

Health Equity Resources

Publications

Overcoming Prostate Cancer Disparities in Care provide practical strategies for providing equitable care that can help improve early detection and care for vulnerable patients.

Defining The Role of Oncology Advanced Practitioners in Equitable Cancer Care Delivery identifies feasible and impactful opportunities for oncology APs to play a greater role in equitable cancer care delivery.

Health Literacy: From Assessment to Action features three case studies from cancer programs who are advancing their delivery of patient-centered care by integrating key attributes of a health literate healthcare program.

On-Demand Webinars

Achieving Health Equity in the Psychosocial Treatment of Cancer Pain

Health equity and social justice are critical drivers of quality cancer care, and practice-based solutions are needed to reduce barriers and improve health outcomes. There is a crucial need for psychosocial and supportive care services to address the differences in social and economic resources and in timely access to high-quality health care.
ACORI Call to Action Summit: Activating Equity in Community Oncology Research

The Association of Community Cancer Centers (ACCC) has established the ACCC Community Oncology Research Institute (ACORI) to build on its existing mission to close the gap in cancer research through optimal oncology partnerships. As part of this mission, ACCC hosted the ACORI Call to Action Summit, a two-day virtual event that explored practical solutions to strengthen and diversify oncology clinical trials in communities across the country.
(Sep 13-14, 2021)
Addressing Disparities and Access to Clinical Trials Among Patients with Multiple Myeloma

Learn how to identify key disparities in clinical trial access for patients with multiple myeloma and explore strategies that can help improve access for underserved communities. (October 21, 2020)

More Health Equity Webinars

From the ACCCBuzz Blog

Advancing DEI in the Cancer Workforce: Best Practices from Experts and Strategies for Navigating Policy
October 07, 2024
In recognition of the importance of prioritizing DEI in the cancer workforce, the NCCN held a policy summit to allow patients, providers, payers, and patient advocacy organizations to discuss policy and best practice strategies to support these ideals.
Advancing DEI in the Cancer Workforce: A Policy Summit
October 03, 2024
DEI in cancer care is essential for ensuring that all patients receive high-quality, personalized treatment and support. A diverse workforce brings a variety of perspectives and experiences that can enhance understanding of patients’ unique cultural backgrounds and health needs.
Community Engagement: Increasing Access to Supportive Care Services
August 23, 2024
Equitable access to supportive care services is crucial for patients with cancer to ensure that their needs are met and they can achieve the best treatment outcomes possible.
A One-Stop Breast Clinic Improves Time to Diagnosis and Patient Satisfaction
July 31, 2024
ACCCBuzz spotlights St. Luke’s University Health Network, St. Luke’s Cancer Center, one of the recipients of the 2024 ACCC Innovator Award.
Recognizing Implicit Bias and Ways to Overcome It
July 25, 2024
Explore the effects of implicit bias on patient care through the lens of the second of three vignettes featured in the Association of Cancer Care Centers' Personalizing Care Video Series.

Digital Tools

The ACORI Clinical Research Terms Glossary will help establish a standardized understanding across the cancer care team, can improve patient education, and encourage shared decision-making conversations.

Health Literacy Gap Assessment can help cancer programs identify educational needs and pinpoint areas where targeted education could improve patient care.

Health Literacy Post-Assessment Resources provide tools from the six assessment domains to support your improvement plan(s).

The Ask Me 3® video teaches cancer team members how to better anticipate and respond to patients’ concerns by using a clear, empathetic, and effective approach to communication throughout the care continuum.

Prostate Disparities Resource Library incorporates publications, tools, and other assets to help cancer programs reduce disparities and improve early detection and patient care.

Cancer Buzz Podcasts

Part 3 of a 7 Part Series: Examining the Public Health Landscape in Brazil – [Mini Podcast] Ep 169 Nov 26, 2024

As a large country, economic disparities persist as a public health issue in Brazil, with 70% of the population depending on the public health system. According to Dr. Theodora Karnakis, the aging population of patients with cancer is expected to result in a 61% increase of new cancer cases between 2020 and 2040. The type of care received depends heavily on where patients are located, due to the varying allocation of services. Dr. Karnakis emphasized equitable access to high-quality care, thorough cancer prevention efforts, and patient education as priorities in her country.
Part 2 of a 7 Part Series: Advancing Early Detection, Prevention, and Clinical Trial Diversity in Puerto Rico – [Mini Podcast] Ep 167 Nov 20, 2024

Immunotherapy and targeted therapies have transformed the way patients are treated and allow more patients than ever before to survive stage IV diagnoses. Other key advancements in oncology being prioritized in Puerto Rico today include early detection and prevention efforts. However, a lack of education, access, and health insurance coverage often prevents community members from timely cancer screenings. The same factors contribute to a lack of diversity in clinical trials, as noted by Dr. Marcia Cruz-Correa. Both these important issues require a community-based approach, through building advisory groups, working with local oncologists, and reaching community members where they are in a way they understand.
Part 1 of a 7 Part Series: Challenges Faced by Patients with Cancer Across the Globe – [Mini Podcast] Ep 166 Oct 31, 2024

All health systems work with limited resources to some degree. The challenge faced across the globe is finding the best way to allocate those resources to help the patient population as much as possible.

More Health Equity Podcasts

From Oncology Issues

Healthcare With Community in Its DNA
By Rania Emara

Montefiore Health System’s Community Health Worker Institute has mobilized a workforce of local community experts with the potential to change the way health care systems nationwide approach social drivers of health and health equity.
ACCC 50th Annual Meeting & Cancer Center Business Summit

Highlights from the ACCC 50th Annual Meeting & Cancer Center Business Summit #AMCCBS.
Reimagining Community Engagement and Equity in Cancer
By Nadine J. Barrett, PHD, MA, MS, FACCC

In her first Oncology Issues column, ACCC president Nadine J. Barrett, PHD, MA, MS, FACCC, shares her 2024-2025 ACCC President’s Theme.