In the third quarter of 2022, RWJBarnabas Health, in partnership with Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, the state’s leading cancer center and only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, became a grantee supported through the Alliance for Equity in Cancer Care (the Alliance), an initiative funded by the Merck Foundation (the Foundation) and designed to make cancer care more equitable in the United States by helping patients living in underserved communities to receive timely access to high-quality, culturally responsive care.
RWJBarnabas Health and Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey have been awarded a $2 million grant over five years.
The RWJBarnabas Health and Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey program will improve cancer health equity by addressing underlying social determinants of health (SDOH), reduce barriers to care, lessen disparities and ensure access to the most comprehensive treatments close to home.
Nearly 40% of Americans will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime.
Members of marginalized communities, those living in rural areas, low-income individuals and the uninsured are disproportionately affected by cancer, yet often have limited access to cancer screenings, care and treatment. In New Jersey, unequal health outcomes are often linked to race, ethnicity, geography, social and economic status, and other factors. While a cancer diagnosis alone can be overwhelming for individuals in vulnerable communities, when paired with SDOH challenges such as not having housing, transportation, access to medication, a healthy environment and/or healthy food, a positive outcome becomes less likely.
Collaborating Nationally to Improve Patient Care Locally
Nine Alliance program grantees from across the United States, including RWJBarnabas Health and Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, are working together to support the delivery of equitable cancer care within their local communities and beyond.
Through the Alliance, RWJBarnabas Health and Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey will streamline cancer care coordination by integrating with primary care and other subspecialty care; improve patient-centered communication and engagement of care; improve assessments, including those addressing SDOH; and hasten referrals to supportive services.
Patients will see an improvement in the timeliness of care, better coordination between providers; ongoing support, increased use of telehealth for convenience and more visibility for care in their communities via community advisory board engagement and increased community outreach and education.
The severity of the need to take action on advancing equity in cancer care cannot be overstated and will not be overlooked. We must move with urgency and work together to provide all people living with cancer access to high-quality care and treatment. The creation of the Alliance is an important step toward ensuring social determinants of health no longer factor into an individual’s ability to receive vital health care.
For more information view Health Equity.