World Cancer Day: Close the Care Gap

World Cancer Day – Every February 4

This World Cancer Day, the National Comprehensive Cancer Network® (NCCN®) is joining organizations worldwide to draw attention to inequities in cancer care everywhere and close the care gap.    

Disparities in cancer care and outcomes exist between the United States and other countries, and within the U.S. between different races/ethnicities, socioeconomic groups, sexual orientations, gender identities, regions, and more.

To address inequalities in access and help close the care gap, NCCN worked with American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) and the National Minority Quality Forum (NMQF) to convene the Elevating Cancer Equity Working Group and create the Health Equity Report Card (HERC)—a tool for improving the quality and equity of cancer care.

 

Pilot Project Announcement: Utilizing the Health Equity Report Card (HERC) to Close the Care Gap
Learn More
The HERC: Recommendations to Reduce Racial Disparities in Cancer Care
View the HERC
Advancing More Equitable Care Through the Development of a Health Equity Report Card
Read the Article


Health Equity Report Card: Recommendations to Reduce Racial Disparities in Access to Guideline Adherent Cancer Care

Community Engagement
Reflect Community Demographics in Practice and Leadership


Partner Formally and Equitably with Community-Based Organizations
Use Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Wording


Develop Programs Based on Community Health Needs Assessments


Accessibility of Care and Social Determinants of Health
Facilitate Access to Non-Emergency Transportation


Offer Representative Patient Navigators and Community Health Workers
Collect and Utilize Data on Social Determinants of Health


Establish a Process to Connect Patients with Resources
Offer Flexible Hours for Screening and Treatment


Provide Staff Training to Reduce Barriers to Clinical Trial Participation


Addressing Bias in Care Delivery
Embed Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in All Policies


Incorporate Disparities and Equity Framework into Quality Improvement Activities
Recruit, Retain, and Promote Minority Researchers and Practitioners


Provide and Require Annual Implicit Bias Training for All Employees
Utilize Health Information Technology and Workflow to Prevent Disparities in Care


Quality of Care and Comprehensiveness
Refer Patients to Preventive and Supportive Services Where Appropiate


Discuss Clinical Trial Options with All Patients