Public Policy Resources

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Prevention and Early Detection

ACS CAN advocates for public policies that can prevent nearly half of all cancer deaths by ensuring access to recommended cancer screenings, protecting the public from skin cancer risk, reducing tobacco use and exposure to secondhand smoke and supporting people in increasing physical activity, eating a healthy diet, and managing their weight.

Prevention and Early Detection Resources:

The Tobacco Industry is Not the Public Health Solution

February 9, 2023

Big tobacco has a history of prioritizing corporate profits over people and communities burdened by tobacco-related illness and death. For decades, the tobacco industry has lied to specific communities and the public at large saying their products are not addictive, harmful or deadly. Tobacco manufacturers continue to create and flood the market with newly designed products they market as being less harmful and alternatives to quitting – a tactic that is not new.

ACS & ACS CAN Comments on FDA Proposed Rule “Food Labeling: Nutrient Content Claims; Definition of Term ‘Healthy.’”

January 24, 2023

The American Cancer Society (ACS) and the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) appreciate the opportunity to comment on the proposed rule to update the definition for the implied nutrient content claim “healthy” to be consistent with current nutrition science and Federal dietary guidance.

Big Tobacco Targets People with Limited Incomes

January 12, 2023

While overall smoking rates have declined in recent years, smoking rates remain higher among specific populations, including people with limited incomes. These differences are in large part due to the tobacco industry’s targeted marketing through advertising, price discounting and other strategies. Every year the tobacco industry spends $9.1 billion in the United States marketing their deadly and addictive products. 

Big Tobacco Targets the Black Community

December 15, 2022

While overall smoking rates have declined in recent years, smoking rates remain higher among specific subpopulations, including African Americans. These differences are in large part due to the tobacco industry’s targeted marketing through advertising, price discounting and other strategies.

Big Tobacco Targets the LGBTQ+ Community

December 15, 2022

While overall smoking rates have declined in recent years, smoking rates remain higher among specific subpopulations, including the LGBTQ+ community. These differences are in large part due to the tobacco industry’s targeted marketing through advertising, price discounting and other strategies.

DGAs: Changing Diet to Prevent Disease & Reduce Cancer Risk

October 19, 2022

ACS CAN supports giving people tools, such as the U.S. Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGAs), to make healthful food and beverage choices.

FDA Regulation of Tobacco Products: Modified Risk Tobacco Products

October 13, 2022

The tobacco industry has a long history of misleading the public on the harms of its products.  One of the most critical provisions of the TCA requires tobacco companies to receive a marketing order to prove the truthfulness of any claims that their product is “modified risk."

Tobacco Control Programs Need Adequate Funding and Continued Investment

September 29, 2022

Tobacco is still the number one cause of preventable death nationwide yet the current funding levels for tobacco control programs is not sufficient to prevent and address tobacco-related disparities. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that states annually spend 12% of funds from tobacco taxes and lawsuits on tobacco control programs.

ACS & ACS CAN Comments on White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health

July 22, 2022

ACS and ACS CAN submitted comments and recommendations regarding the White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health, planned to be held in September 2022.

Tobacco Control Resources:

Decriminalizing Commercial Tobacco: Addressing Systemic Racism in the Enforcement of Commercial Tobacco Control

December 9, 2020

This joint statement from a consortium of public health organizations sets forth aspirational principles to help local and state health departments, decisionmakers, advocates, and other stakeholders advance equitable enforcement practices related to the purchase, possession, sale, and distribution of all tobacco products. These principles can also help address tobacco addiction and reduce tobacco-related harms while maintaining and improving the efficacy of enforcement of commercial tobacco laws and policies.

Tobacco Control Partner letter to FDA Regarding Menthol (2020)

November 9, 2020

The undersigned public health and medical organizations write to urge the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to grant the pending Citizen Petition referenced above and commence the requested rulemaking to prohibit menthol as a characterizing flavor in cigarettes.

Tobacco Control Partner letter to FDA Regarding ANPRM on Menthol (2013)

November 22, 2013

ACS CAN and its partner organizations submit these comments in response to the advance notice of proposed rulemaking issued by the Food and Drug Administration urging the FDA to commence a rulemaking proceeding to propose, and ultimately to adopt, a product standard that will prohibit menthol as a characterizing flavor in cigarettes.

Tobacco Control Partners Citizen's Petition to FDA on Menthol (2013)

April 12, 2013

The tobacco control partners submit a Citizen's Petition to the FDA request the prohibition of menthol as a characterizing flavor in cigarettes.

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Screening Resources:

ACS CAN Supports the Women and Lung Cancer Research and Preventive Services Act of 2023

August 30, 2023

ACS CAN supports the Women and Lung Cancer Research and Preventive Services Act of 2023 by to accelerate progress in reducing mortality from lung cancer, including among women.

Advocating to Eliminate Breast Cancer Disparities

July 7, 2023

Our ability to continue to make progress against cancer relies heavily on eliminating inequities that exist in breast cancer prevention and treatment. That is why ACS CAN advocates for policies to reduce the disparities in breast cancer by improving access to prevention and early detection services, patient navigation services, insurance coverage, in-network facilities, and clinical trials.

Colorectal Cancer Control Program Helps to Prevent Colorectal Cancer & Save Lives

June 26, 2023

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Colorectal Cancer Control Program (CRCCP) provides grant funding to 20 state health departments, eight universities, two tribal organizations, and five other organizations to help prevent colorectal cancer, the third most common cancer in men and women and the second leading cause of cancer death in the U.S. for men and women combined.

Survivor Views: Majority Less Likely to Get Recommended Screenings if Coverage is Lost

May 11, 2023

Our latest survey finds that cancer patients and survivors would be less likely to stay current with preventive care, including recommended cancer screenings, if the provision requiring these services be covered at no cost were repealed. This survey also explores the challenges of limited provider networks and the need for patient navigation.

Prostate Cancer and Black Men

March 2, 2023

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in Black men. Black men are over twice as likely to die from prostate cancer compared to every other racial and ethnic group and they are also more likely to be diagnosed at an advanced stage. Black men with lower-grade (less aggressive) disease are actually more likely to die from prostate cancer than white men. The reasons for this are complex and include interactions between social, behavioral and biological factors.

 

Colorectal Cancer and the Importance of Screening

February 26, 2021

Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in men and women and the second leading cause of cancer death in men and women combined in the United States. Yet, about 1 in 3 adults aged 50 to 75 are not getting tested as recommended. This factsheet discusses the importance of screening for colorectal cancer and what can be done to improve screening in the U.S.

Colorectal Cancer Screening and Health Equity

January 15, 2021

In the U.S., colorectal cancer is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths in men and in women, and the second most common cause of cancer deaths when men and women are combined. Despite advancements in screening and treatment, CRC does not affect every community the same. 

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Healthy Eating and Active Living Resources:

Improving Health Equity by Addressing Food and Nutrition Insecurity

January 5, 2024

The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) advocates for policies at the federal, state, and local level aimed at addressing food and nutrition insecurity and reducing health disparities. Having consistent access to affordable nutritious food has a direct impact on a person’s health and can help prevent, manage, and treat chronic diseases like cancer.

Food is Medicine Initiatives to Address Chronic Diseases and Reduce Health Disparities

January 5, 2024

The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) supports policies and funding that increase access to “Food is Medicine” (or food as medicine) initiatives and interventions intended to prevent, treat, or manage chronic diseases and often address food and nutrition insecurity.

Increasing Access to Fruits and Vegetables Among SNAP Participants Through Financial Incentives

January 5, 2024

The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) supports giving participants of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) financial incentives to purchase fruits and vegetables.

Healthy Eating, Active Living, & Cancer: Making Healthy Lifestyles a National Priority

January 5, 2024

The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) supports public policies at the local, state, and federal level that make it easier for children and adults to eat a healthy diet and to be physically active, thereby reducing their long-term cancer risk.

Increasing Access to Free School Meals to Address Food Insecurity and Improve Diet Quality

August 7, 2023

What children eat today affects their future cancer risks. Children with access to nutritious food are more likely to develop healthy eating habits they can continue to use into adulthood. Offering nutritious free school meals and snacks, before, during, and after school to all students is an effective policy intervention to address food insecurity and improve diet quality.

ACS & ACS CAN Comments USDA Proposed Rule Revising Child Nutrition Program Requirements to be Consistent with Current Nutrition Science & federal Dietary Guidance

April 17, 2023

The American Cancer Society (ACS) and the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) appreciate the opportunity to comment on the USDA proposed rule to revise the child nutrition program requirements for meal patterns to be consistent with current nutrition science and federal dietary guidance.

Preserving Local Control of Public Health Policies – Critical for Strong Public Health Policies

February 14, 2023

Many important public health policies are often developed and passed at the local level. Communities are also able to advance health equity when they can pass specific public health policies aimed at addressing local health disparities. But preemption—when a higher level of government revokes local authority—can restrict local policymakers’ ability to pass, implement, and enforce innovative and proactive public health policies. States should be able to set a minimum standard for public health protections, but they should not pre-empt local governments from going above and beyond that minimum standard.

ACS & ACS CAN Comments on FDA Proposed Rule “Food Labeling: Nutrient Content Claims; Definition of Term ‘Healthy.’”

January 24, 2023

The American Cancer Society (ACS) and the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) appreciate the opportunity to comment on the proposed rule to update the definition for the implied nutrient content claim “healthy” to be consistent with current nutrition science and Federal dietary guidance.

DGAs: Changing Diet to Prevent Disease & Reduce Cancer Risk

October 19, 2022

ACS CAN supports giving people tools, such as the U.S. Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGAs), to make healthful food and beverage choices.