Cancer-related health disparities in communities of color demonstrate the devastating impacts of institutional racism, social segregation, and intergenerational trauma. However, there is a lack of understanding about how health care systems can effectively mitigate institutional racism and cancer-related health inequities. Fostering cross-sector partnerships involving health care and community-based organizations can generate innovative strategies to address racism and disparities in cancer care.
This Center for Health Care Strategies (CHCS) webinar made possible by Genentech, a member of the Roche group, shared examples of how health care systems and community organizations can partner to ensure equitable cancer care. The organizations featured are participants in CHCS’ Co-Creating Solutions to Address Racism and Disparities in Oncology initiative.
Agenda
I. Welcome and Introduction
Speakers: Shilpa Patel, Associate Director, Health Equity, CHCS
S. Patel welcomed participants to the webinar and introduced panelists.
II. Overview of the Learning Collaborative
Speakers: Shilpa Patel, CHCS; Dana E. Crawford, Scholar-in-Residence, Columbia University’s Zuckerman Institute; Jahira Sterling, Program Associate, CHCS
S. Patel and D.E. Crawford provided an overview of the Co-Creating Solutions to Address Racism and Disparities in Oncology project, including a description of the development and implementation of the learning collaborative.
J. Sterling moderated presentations by three learning collaborative teams.
III. Addressing Inequalities in Breast Cancer Care for Black Women: A Collaborative Model Between Community and Health Care Providers
Speakers: Jamil Rivers, Founder, CEO, Chrysalis Initiative; Evelyn Robles-Rodriguez, DNP, APN, AOCN, Director, Outreach, Prevention and Survivorship, and Plyshette Wiggins, MPH, Health Equity Coordinator, MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper Health
J. Rivers and E. Robles-Rodriguez described their partnership to address inequalities in breast cancer care, explained the relationship between community organizations and health care providers, and highlighted key challenges and successes in the learning collaborative through a racial lens.
IV. Eliminating Disparate Outcomes for Black Breast Cancer Patients
Speakers: Bridgette Richard Hempstead, Executive Director, Cierra Sisters; Katherine J. Briant, Assistant Director, Fred Hutchinson/University of Washington/Seattle Children’s Cancer Consortium
B. Richard Hempstead and K.J. Briant provided an overview of their organizations and partnership, and explained their work in eliminating inequities, bias, and racism in breast cancer treatment. They shared their experiences working together on the project.
V. Addressing Health Inequalities in Prostate Cancer Care
Speakers: Monica Baskin, Principal Investigator, Professor of Medicine UPMC Hillman Cancer Center; Rev. Robert A. Sellers Sr., President, Jefferson County Faith Based Alliance for the Advancement of Health Equity; Verlon Salley, Vice President of Community Health Equity, UAB Health System
M. Baskin, Rev. R.A. Sellers Sr., and V. Salley described their partnership and shared their work in researching strategies to address health inequalities in prostate cancer among African American men. They highlighted challenges and successes on their work together.
VII. Moderated Q&A
Moderator: S. Patel, CHCS
