Health Equity and Access Weekly Roundup: December 16, 2023

ICYMI: Highlights From the ACCC Fall National Oncology Conference

The highlights of the 40th National Oncology Conference by the Association of Community Cancer Centers (ACCC) spotlight both progress achieved and areas requiring enhancement to optimize care and research outcomes. Successful endeavors in innovative referral systems, screening processes, and support initiatives have significantly improved patient care access and caregiver assistance within the oncology domain. Furthermore, recent research underscores the continued imperative to enhance health equity and inclusivity in research within historically underresourced communities.

Shiela Plasencia Highlights COA Health Equity Initiatives

In an interview with the American Journal of Managed Care® (AJMC®), the director of practice support at the Community Oncology Alliance (COA) Shiela Plasencia, addressed the importance of health equity at the COA Payer Exchange Summit. She explained, "There is not necessarily a holistic approach to implementing health equity within the practice and having that leadership, so it doesn't necessarily come from the top down, might start in a siloed group."

Patients With Multiple Myeloma Lack Awareness of CAR T-Cell Therapy, Research Says

A recent study at the 65th American Society of Hematology Annual Meeting and Exposition exposed significant gaps in patient awareness of multiple myeloma (MM) cell therapies. The survey, involving 2370 predominantly non-Hispanic White respondents with a median age of 68, revealed insufficient knowledge, especially among rural, less educated, and elderly demographics. Only a small percentage had experienced CAR T-cell therapies or bispecific antibody treatments, and a significant portion had never heard of them. The findings underscore the need for targeted awareness campaigns to empower patients across diverse groups in making informed decisions about their MM treatment.

Dr Robert Groves Explains Social Determinants of Health Challenges

Robert Groves, MD, co-chair of The American Journal of Managed Care®’s Institute for Value-Based Medicine® (IVBM) event, outlined the challenges faced by primary care practitioners (PCPs) in addressing social determinants of health (SDOH). As the chief medical officer of a Banner Health and Aetna joint venture, Groves highlighted the strain on PCPs, emphasizing the need to prioritize patient relationships and the limited time for meaningful interactions. He spoke on the importance of addressing SDOH, citing data that a small percentage of health outcomes are influenced by the vast health care expenditure.

Dr Bruce Sherman Explores the Role of Equitable Health Benefit Design in the US

Bruce Sherman, MD, medical director at the North Carolina Business Coalition on Health, highlighted the crucial role of equitable health benefit design in addressing US health inequities. He emphasized the need for benefits to be accessible, affordable, and relevant to employees' needs, including addressing unmet social needs. Sherman also emphasized the importance of relationship-centered care to overcome medical mistrust and implicit bias, particularly among minority and lower-income populations, as a key factor in improving health outcomes and narrowing the health inequity gap.