It is a troubling fact that certain population groups are more likely than others to develop cancer and less likely to survive it. As discussed in detail in Chapter 2 of the Connecticut Comprehensive Cancer Control Plan, Connecticut, It’s Population, and Cancer, the burden of cancer is often greatest for people with low socioeconomic status from racial and ethnic minority groups.
In Connecticut and the U.S., for example, African American males have the highest rate of new cancer cases overall, and both males and females of African American race have the highest death rates. Nationally, American Indian males and African American females have the lowest cancer survival rates of any population group. Even greater disparities exist in incidence and death rates for specific types of cancer among different populations. Trends in cancer incidence and deaths also differ among population groups.
There is no simple explanation for these and other disparities. The reasons behind them are complex and may be related to lifestyle practices such as smoking, exercise, and diet, and also to socioeconomic factors like income, education, health insurance status, and level of access to primary and preventive care.
Health disparities have been identified and strategies for reducing them have been proposed in every area across the continuum of cancer care described in the Plan. The Partnership’s Health Disparities Committee is working with each of the other Partnership committees to address these issues.
Click on the link below to download material on Health Disparities from the Connecticut Comprehensive Cancer Control Plan.
Addressing Health Disparities (PDF, 78 KB)
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