Health Equity Impacts of COVID-19 and How We’re Fighting Back

As part of its series of in-depth community conversations about health disparities that lead to negative outcomes for Blacks and other ethnic groups, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) will hold a virtual health equity forum on August 18,2020 from 5-6:30 p.m. Topics will include COVID-19 health disparities and the impact on cancer care, and Assemblymember Rob Bonta will be honored for his health equity policy work in the Bay Area. To register, click here.

A recent ACS CAN survey of cancer patients and survivors nationwide shows they are under significant financial strain. Forty-six percent said the COVID-19 pandemic had impacted their financial situation and ability to pay for care in some way. And nearly a quarter (23%) said they worry they may lose their health insurance due to the pandemic and its effects on the economy.

Research shows that racial/ethnic populations and medically underserved groups continue to have higher rates of COVID as well as higher cancer rates. More information about American Cancer Society (ACS)  health equity research can be found here.

As part of its commitment to understanding how racial injustice leads to health disparities, ACS CAN is holding a forum that will feature Dr. Josh Ofman, chief medical officer for GRAIL, to explore clinical trials of their new multi-cancer early detection test. The innovative biomedical firm’s mission is to detect cancer early when it can be cured.

A panel discussion following Dr. Ofman’s keynote speech will feature Dr. Mitesh Popat, CEO of the Marin Community Clinic, and East Bay general surgeon, Dr. Irene Lo, about what they have seen on the frontlines of healthcare during the pandemic, delays in cancer screenings, and their reflections on where we can go from here. Q&A session will be moderated by Armand Carr, former host of 102.9 KBLX radio’s Quiet Storm and Listen Up Bay Area.

While the virtual forum is free, donations are welcomed and can be made here.

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.