MISSOULA, Mont.— Confident they can alter the future of cancer and who it impacts, public health policy experts, tribal and community leaders including cancer advocacy volunteers will lead a discussion focused on improving health equity in cancer prevention and care for all Montanans. The free event, hosted by the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN), is October 4, 2019 at the Hilton Garden Inn in Missoula. Lunch will be provided.
Health Equity in the Fight Against Cancer is the focus of the 5th annual ACS CAN Montana Cancer Summit that includes panel discussions regarding how the state can embrace health equity when it comes to giving every Montanan a fair shot at preventing, finding, treating and surviving cancer.
Keynote speaker Citseko Staples Miller is coming from Washington, D.C. to share her insights about how addressing the social determinants of health is one way to advance health equity in communities. Staples Miller is the ACS CAN director of state and local campaigns. She is a national speaker on health disparities and their effect on cancer outcomes. Staples Miller is also project director for ACS CAN’s Medicaid Covers US—a national public education project designed to create a conversation about Medicaid and the role it plays in the health and well-being of our families, friends and communities.
The forum also spotlights a new program being launched by ACS CAN in partnership with its parent organization, the American Cancer Society, to achieve better health equity for local communities through a grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Found. In Montana, ACS and ACS CAN are working in partnership with leaders from one of Montana’s American Indian nations to support the community in identifying and addressing the major health issues affecting people living on the reservation.
Registration for this free event is required and is available by visiting https://www.fightcancer.org/events/2019-policy-summit-embracing-health-equity-fight-against-cancer.
Date: October 4, 2019
Time: 11:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Place: Hilton Garden Inn, 3720 N. Reserve Street, Missoula, MT
About ACS CAN: The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) is making cancer a top priority for public officials and candidates at the federal, state and local levels. ACS CAN empowers advocates across the country to make their voices heard and influence evidence-based public policy change as well as legislative and regulatory solutions that will reduce the cancer burden. As the American Cancer Society’s nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy affiliate, ACS CAN is critical to the fight for a world without cancer. For more information, visit www.fightcancer.org.