Understanding and Addressing Racial Disparities in Cancer Outcomes, Care, and Treatment

The COVID-19 pandemic has raised awareness and sharpened the discussion of systemic racial disparities in the U.S. health care system. These inequities existed long before the pandemic and have been recognized for decades, yet they continue and, in some cases, have worsened.

Cancer consistently ranks as one of the leading causes of death in the country, providing a focal point for a deeper conversation about the many factors contributing to the racial inequities we see in cancer outcomes, care, and treatment.

KFF and the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) hosted a web event on February 3, 2022 featuring oncologists, patient advocates, and policy researchers with expertise in equity and cancer care to examine persistent racial disparities in cancer. Expert panelists shared real-life experiences, provided context on the latest data, and discussed a range of actions which could help ensure that all individuals with cancer receive the highest quality, equitable cancer care and help to eliminate disparities in cancer outcomes.