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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! Practical Solutions for Addressing Cancer Care Disparities

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.

Appalachian Community Cancer Alliance

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.

Eliminating Precision Medicine Disparities

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.

Improving Access to Biomarker Testing in Medicaid Populations

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.

Oncology Advanced Practitioners

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.

Overcoming Prostate Cancer Disparities

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.

Personalizing Care for Patients of All Backgrounds

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.

Social Drivers of Health

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

  • 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.

  • 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)

  • 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)

From the ACCCBuzz Blog

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

  • 5 Ways to Improve Oncology Clinical Trials – [Mini Podcast] Ep 191
    May 21, 2025

    On October 29-30, 2024, the ACCC Community Oncology Research Institute (ACORI) hosted the Community Oncology Inclusive Clinical Trial Design Summit in Arlington, VA. The event brought together stakeholders including academic and community cancer center practitioners and researchers, advocacy organizations, government agencies, and industry partners to discuss strategies to increase patient access to clinical trials in the community setting. Five priority areas were identified that characterize actionable strategies to promote fair and accessible clinical trial design that is representative of all patients with cancer: strengthening the clinical trial workforce, optimizing trial design, engaging communities outside of clinical trial interactions, decentralizing clinical trials, and leveraging artificial intelligence/digital health tools for increased access and efficiency.

     

  • Housing at Risk Program (H@RP) – [Mini Podcast] Ep 189
    May 6, 2025

    One of the most significant social determinants of health is housing, which can lead to prolonged hospital stays and an endless cycle of episodic care. The Association of Cancer Care Centers (ACCC) is dedicated to highlighting programs that address this disparity to improve medical outcomes and restore stability to patients’ lives. In this episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks with Deirdre Sekulic, associate director  of social work at Montefiore Health System to discuss ways that HARP prioritizes patient outcomes to improve continuity of care.

  • Navigating Disparities and Challenges in HCC Care – [Podcast] Ep 186
    Apr 17, 2025

    Raising Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) disproportionately impacts underserved and minority populations, compounded by systemic barriers in care. These populations face increased risk factors yet often experience delayed diagnoses and limited access to specialists, leading to later-stage detection. In this episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks with Karen S. Waldrop, BSN, RN, OCN, ONN-CG, a GI oncology nurse navigator at UAB O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer, and Henry Rendon, a patient diagnosed with HCC in June 2023. Together, they share insights on the vital role of multidisciplinary teams and how nurse navigators can mitigate access barriers by improving patient outreach, facilitating access to care, and guiding patients through the complexities of the health care system. 

From Oncology Issues

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