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Addressing Health Disparities in Lymphoma Treatment and Care
The National Cancer Institute (NCI) defines health disparities, also known as health inequities, as preventable differences in health outcomes that are linked to social, political, economic, and environmental disadvantages. Disparities can affect individuals due to factors such as race, ethnicity, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, religion, disability, education, income, geographic location, and other characteristics.
As a result, certain groups bear a disproportionate burden of cancer compared with others. This is often caused by barriers to healthcare, including language barriers, lack of health insurance, access to technology, education level, health literacy, lack of paid sick time, reliable transportation, access to clinical trials and novel therapies, and other systemic challenges.
A study led by Lymphoma Research Foundation Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) member, Christopher Flowers, MD, MS (The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center), and former SAB member Loretta Nastoupil, MD (Southwest Oncology), found that while survival rates for lymphoid malignancies are improving, these advancements do not apply to all patients equally. The study highlights that continuing disparities directly impact patient outcomes, limiting progress for certain populations.
The Lymphoma Research Foundation understands that there is great diversity within the lymphoma community; every member, from patients and care partners to physicians and scientists, is on a unique journey, but our goal has always been to equip our community with the resources and support they need to empower themselves along their journey.
To deepen this commitment and further our impact, the Foundation established health equity (HE) efforts dedicated to addressing the challenges and barriers that exist in lymphoma research and access to quality patient care. The Foundation’s work is guided by the principle that health equity is achieved when every person has the opportunity to reach their full health potential. Another pillar of the Foundation’s programming is to improve access to lymphoma support services and quality cancer care for traditionally underserved patient populations. The Foundation recognizes that due to many factors, not everyone has access to the same support and resources. We are working to bridge these gaps in access by:
By focusing on these critical areas, the Foundation can help ensure that no patient faces lymphoma alone. Improving access to care is essential to allowing everyone to receive the best possible treatment and support.
The Foundation believes that knowledge is power when it comes to navigating a lymphoma diagnosis and, since its inception, has been committed to providing in-depth information, personalized support, and human connection, all based on the most up-to-date scientific knowledge. We achieve this by teaming up with world-leading lymphoma experts to host our various educational programs and review our resources. As a part of that commitment, the Foundation emphasizes the need to increase access to lymphoma experts, especially for patients in traditionally underserved populations. We achieve this by:
- Providing subtype-specific education programming for African American patients
At the Lymphoma Research Foundation, we believe that everyone deserves access to the highest quality care and resources, despite their background or circumstances. Health equity in lymphoma can only be achieved collaboratively with the participation of healthcare providers, researchers, patients, care partners, and advocates. By educating yourself and the public about health disparities in lymphoma, supporting policies that promote equitable access to care, and supporting organizations committed to addressing health disparities, we can improve the lives of all those touched by lymphoma.