Health Equity & Access Weekly Roundup: October 19, 2024

In Cancer Care, Innovation Comes at a Cost

The Institute for Value-Based Medicine® hosted an event focusing on innovative cancer therapies and their accompanying challenges, cochaired by Ryan Haumschild, PharmD, MS, MBA, CPEL, vice president of pharmacy at Emory Healthcare and Winship Cancer Institute, and Jonathan Kaufman, MD, professor in the Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology at Emory University School of Medicine and board-certified medical oncologist at Emory University Hospital. The event featured clinicians discussing key themes such as health equity in breast cancer, perioperative therapy in non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and evolving treatments for aggressive lymphoma and renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Presenters highlighted persistent racial disparities in breast cancer care, particularly affecting Black and Native American women; explored the emerging perioperative strategies in NSCLC; and debated cost-effectiveness of novel lymphoma treatments. In RCC, discussions centered on the need for better tools to gauge recurrence risk and manage therapy toxicity, while across cancers, balancing innovation with patient quality of life remains a central issue.

Dr Maxine Dexter: Physician Voices Are Crucial to Public Health

During the CHEST 2024 annual meeting in Boston, Maxine Dexter, MD, pulmonary and critical care physician at Kaiser Permanente, detailed her presentation, "Prescribing Change: Redefining the Physician Role in Public Health Advocacy" in an interview with The American Journal of Managed Care^®. Dexter, who is poised to assume a Congressional seat after serving as Oregon State Representative, emphasized the critical role physicians play in shaping public policy, particularly in addressing health crises like the opioid epidemic and environmental issues such as air pollution. Drawing on her medical background, she highlighted the importance of evidence-based legislation and shared examples of how health and social policies intersect, noting that physicians' first-hand experience with patients from diverse backgrounds allows them to understand the broader societal effects of public health challenges.

Addressing Psychosocial Needs and Navigating Financial Toxicity Shared the Spotlight at ACCC

At the Association of Cancer Care Centers (ACCC) 41st National Oncology Conference, financial toxicity and navigation were key discussion points, highlighting their significant impact on patients with cancer and health care providers. Presenters from Cancer Support Community and Highlands Oncology Group emphasized how financial burdens, especially for minority and rural communities, exacerbate care access challenges. Research by Cancer Support Community underscored the need for culturally competent care, noting mistrust in the medical system and the importance of social and emotional support in patient resilience. Meanwhile, Highlands Oncology Group showcased the success of its financial navigation program, enhanced through a partnership with TailorMed, which combined technology with human resources to improve patient assistance, streamline processes, and reduce staff burnout.

Why Are We Still Seeing Gaps in Women’s Heart Care?

Women have historically been underrepresented in cardiovascular clinical trials, leading to gaps in understanding how heart disease affects them differently from men. This disparity was exacerbated by a 1977 FDA guideline discouraging the participation of women of childbearing age in trials. Although efforts to increase female representation began in the 1990s, significant gaps remain. A review of heart failure trials showed that only 26% of participants were women, with their involvement in cardiovascular research generally still below 50%. Kathryn Lindley, MD, emphasizes the need for a multifaceted approach that includes better access to trials and education for clinicians, and empowering women to advocate for themselves to address this persistent issue.

Data Show Undocumented Latinx People Face Disproportionate Burden of Long COVID

A recent study revealed that undocumented Latinx immigrants, who make up 7% of the US population, face significant barriers to health care, including high uninsurance rates, limited access to primary care, and fears related to immigration status. Additionally, undocumented Latinx immigrants demonstrated the highest prevalence of missed work or school due to long COVID symptoms (57.1%) and the least access to care, with 60% receiving no treatment. Broader research on excess mortality during the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted disparities, with non-Hispanic American Indian/Alaska Native and Hispanic populations experiencing the highest mortality ratios and potential years of life lost. These findings emphasize the need for culturally relevant health care resources and improved infrastructure to protect vulnerable groups.