[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 992 Introduced in House (IH)]
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118th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. RES. 992
Recognizing February 4, 2024, as ``World Cancer Day'', and its theme
``Close the Care Gap'', to raise awareness about and launch efforts to
eliminate racial and ethnic inequities and disparities in cancer care
both in the United States and globally.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
February 1, 2024
Ms. Sewell (for herself, Mrs. Watson Coleman, Ms. Kelly of Illinois,
and Mr. Grijalva) submitted the following resolution; which was
referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce
_______________________________________________________________________
RESOLUTION
Recognizing February 4, 2024, as ``World Cancer Day'', and its theme
``Close the Care Gap'', to raise awareness about and launch efforts to
eliminate racial and ethnic inequities and disparities in cancer care
both in the United States and globally.
Whereas globally, approximately 1 in 5 people develops cancer during their
lifetime, and 1 in 8 men and 1 in 11 women die from the disease;
Whereas the estimated global economic cost of cancer over the next three decades
will reach over $25,000,000,000,000, with the United States facing the
second-largest economic costs of cancer;
Whereas it is estimated that in 2023, more than 1,900,000 new cancer cases and
more than 600,000 cancer deaths occurred in the United States;
Whereas, although cancer incidence and mortality rates decreased overall for all
racial and ethnic groups, African Americans and American Indians/Alaska
Natives continue to have disproportionately higher rates of cancer than
Whites (according to the American Cancer Society's ``Cancer Facts and
Figures'' report);
Whereas targeted cancer screening programs can effectively identify high-risk
populations;
Whereas research shows that the overall cancer screening rates are lower among
African Americans, Latinos, Asian Americans, and American Indian/Alaska
Natives than Whites;
Whereas prevention and early detection initiatives can help significantly reduce
cancer care disparities and inequities, and improve patient outcomes;
Whereas recent findings suggest that people of color, when compared to Whites,
receive later diagnoses for some types of cancer;
Whereas increased patient navigation services can play a crucial role in
reducing barriers to timely and appropriate cancer screenings and care
by guiding patients through the complex health care system;
Whereas expanding racial and ethnic diversity in clinical trials ensures the
inclusivity of all populations and improves the generalizability of
vitally important research findings;
Whereas the underrepresentation of people of color, from both urban and rural
communities, in clinical trials perpetuates and exacerbates racial and
ethnic cancer inequities and disparities, and limits access to
potentially lifesaving treatments;
Whereas, in 2021, the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
declared racism a serious public health threat and announced efforts
undertaken by the agency to accelerate its efforts to address racism as
a fundamental driver of racial and ethnic health disparities and
inequities;
Whereas research suggests that racial and ethnic disparities in cancer and in
cancer care are driven by systemic inequities both in society and within
and throughout the United States health system that are rooted in racism
and discrimination;
Whereas significant racial and ethnic disparities exist in access to treatment
according to nationally recognized cancer care guidelines;
Whereas these disparities have a profound impact on stage of cancer diagnoses,
access to consistent and quality cancer care, optimal patient outcomes,
quality of life, and overall health equity;
Whereas addressing and closing the cancer care gap is an urgent priority, and in
recognition of this, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network,
the National Minority Quality Forum, and the National Comprehensive
Cancer Network formed the Alliance for Cancer Care Equity (ACCE);
Whereas ACCE is a group of health equity and patient advocates, community-based
organizations, and professional societies working to support policies,
promote practices, and create systems that prioritize the elimination of
racial and ethnic disparities and inequities across all cancers; and
Whereas, in 2024, commemorations for ``World Cancer Day'' recognize the vital
role of governments in advancing cancer care by eliminating racial and
ethnic disparities and inequities in access to prevention, early
screening and diagnostic services, and quality care and treatment: Now,
therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) supports ``World Cancer Day'';
(2) acknowledges the urgent need to eliminate barriers to
consistent and reliable access to cancer screening programs,
early detection initiatives, and quality cancer care for all
racial and ethnic groups;
(3) acknowledges that structural and systemic racism and
discrimination are fundamental drivers in the Nation's pressing
and persistent racial and ethnic cancer care disparities and
inequities;
(4) recognizes the need for greater public awareness
campaigns to educate those most affected by racial and ethnic
disparities and inequities in cancer care about the importance
of cancer screening and early detection across cancers with
effective screening options, and how those services can be
accessed;
(5) commends the Alliance for Cancer Care Equity (ACCE) for
its commitment to support policies, promote practices, and
create systems that prioritize the elimination of racial and
ethnic disparities and inequities across all cancers;
(6) encourages greater collaboration between health care
practices and community-based organizations serving and
representing communities of color to provide consistent and
comprehensive cancer care and support services;
(7) acknowledges the importance of patient navigation
services in reducing racial and ethnic cancer care disparities
and inequities by removing barriers to care by guiding patients
through complex health care systems;
(8) recognizes the importance of including health equity
and community-based organizations, and patient advocacy groups
in the design, promotion, recruitment, implementation, and
analysis of clinical trials;
(9) supports strengthening existing and expanding new
efforts to reduce racial and ethnic cancer care inequities and
disparities to close the persistent and pervasive care gap for
cancer because everyone, regardless of racial and ethnic
background, should have access to quality cancer care; and
(10) urges a greater commitment to dismantling structural
and systemic racism and discrimination in both the United
States health system and society at large that create, sustain,
and exacerbate persistent and costly cancer care disparities
and inequities in order to achieve racial and ethnic cancer
care equity.
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