[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 992 Introduced in House (IH)]

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118th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. RES. 992

 Recognizing February 4, 2024, as ``World Cancer Day'', and its theme 
``Close the Care Gap'', to raise awareness about and launch efforts to 
 eliminate racial and ethnic inequities and disparities in cancer care 
                both in the United States and globally.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                            February 1, 2024

 Ms. Sewell (for herself, Mrs. Watson Coleman, Ms. Kelly of Illinois, 
    and Mr. Grijalva) submitted the following resolution; which was 
            referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
 Recognizing February 4, 2024, as ``World Cancer Day'', and its theme 
``Close the Care Gap'', to raise awareness about and launch efforts to 
 eliminate racial and ethnic inequities and disparities in cancer care 
                both in the United States and globally.

Whereas globally, approximately 1 in 5 people develops cancer during their 
        lifetime, and 1 in 8 men and 1 in 11 women die from the disease;
Whereas the estimated global economic cost of cancer over the next three decades 
        will reach over $25,000,000,000,000, with the United States facing the 
        second-largest economic costs of cancer;
Whereas it is estimated that in 2023, more than 1,900,000 new cancer cases and 
        more than 600,000 cancer deaths occurred in the United States;
Whereas, although cancer incidence and mortality rates decreased overall for all 
        racial and ethnic groups, African Americans and American Indians/Alaska 
        Natives continue to have disproportionately higher rates of cancer than 
        Whites (according to the American Cancer Society's ``Cancer Facts and 
        Figures'' report);
Whereas targeted cancer screening programs can effectively identify high-risk 
        populations;
Whereas research shows that the overall cancer screening rates are lower among 
        African Americans, Latinos, Asian Americans, and American Indian/Alaska 
        Natives than Whites;
Whereas prevention and early detection initiatives can help significantly reduce 
        cancer care disparities and inequities, and improve patient outcomes;
Whereas recent findings suggest that people of color, when compared to Whites, 
        receive later diagnoses for some types of cancer;
Whereas increased patient navigation services can play a crucial role in 
        reducing barriers to timely and appropriate cancer screenings and care 
        by guiding patients through the complex health care system;
Whereas expanding racial and ethnic diversity in clinical trials ensures the 
        inclusivity of all populations and improves the generalizability of 
        vitally important research findings;
Whereas the underrepresentation of people of color, from both urban and rural 
        communities, in clinical trials perpetuates and exacerbates racial and 
        ethnic cancer inequities and disparities, and limits access to 
        potentially lifesaving treatments;
Whereas, in 2021, the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 
        declared racism a serious public health threat and announced efforts 
        undertaken by the agency to accelerate its efforts to address racism as 
        a fundamental driver of racial and ethnic health disparities and 
        inequities;
Whereas research suggests that racial and ethnic disparities in cancer and in 
        cancer care are driven by systemic inequities both in society and within 
        and throughout the United States health system that are rooted in racism 
        and discrimination;
Whereas significant racial and ethnic disparities exist in access to treatment 
        according to nationally recognized cancer care guidelines;
Whereas these disparities have a profound impact on stage of cancer diagnoses, 
        access to consistent and quality cancer care, optimal patient outcomes, 
        quality of life, and overall health equity;
Whereas addressing and closing the cancer care gap is an urgent priority, and in 
        recognition of this, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, 
        the National Minority Quality Forum, and the National Comprehensive 
        Cancer Network formed the Alliance for Cancer Care Equity (ACCE);
Whereas ACCE is a group of health equity and patient advocates, community-based 
        organizations, and professional societies working to support policies, 
        promote practices, and create systems that prioritize the elimination of 
        racial and ethnic disparities and inequities across all cancers; and
Whereas, in 2024, commemorations for ``World Cancer Day'' recognize the vital 
        role of governments in advancing cancer care by eliminating racial and 
        ethnic disparities and inequities in access to prevention, early 
        screening and diagnostic services, and quality care and treatment: Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) supports ``World Cancer Day'';
            (2) acknowledges the urgent need to eliminate barriers to 
        consistent and reliable access to cancer screening programs, 
        early detection initiatives, and quality cancer care for all 
        racial and ethnic groups;
            (3) acknowledges that structural and systemic racism and 
        discrimination are fundamental drivers in the Nation's pressing 
        and persistent racial and ethnic cancer care disparities and 
        inequities;
            (4) recognizes the need for greater public awareness 
        campaigns to educate those most affected by racial and ethnic 
        disparities and inequities in cancer care about the importance 
        of cancer screening and early detection across cancers with 
        effective screening options, and how those services can be 
        accessed;
            (5) commends the Alliance for Cancer Care Equity (ACCE) for 
        its commitment to support policies, promote practices, and 
        create systems that prioritize the elimination of racial and 
        ethnic disparities and inequities across all cancers;
            (6) encourages greater collaboration between health care 
        practices and community-based organizations serving and 
        representing communities of color to provide consistent and 
        comprehensive cancer care and support services;
            (7) acknowledges the importance of patient navigation 
        services in reducing racial and ethnic cancer care disparities 
        and inequities by removing barriers to care by guiding patients 
        through complex health care systems;
            (8) recognizes the importance of including health equity 
        and community-based organizations, and patient advocacy groups 
        in the design, promotion, recruitment, implementation, and 
        analysis of clinical trials;
            (9) supports strengthening existing and expanding new 
        efforts to reduce racial and ethnic cancer care inequities and 
        disparities to close the persistent and pervasive care gap for 
        cancer because everyone, regardless of racial and ethnic 
        background, should have access to quality cancer care; and
            (10) urges a greater commitment to dismantling structural 
        and systemic racism and discrimination in both the United 
        States health system and society at large that create, sustain, 
        and exacerbate persistent and costly cancer care disparities 
        and inequities in order to achieve racial and ethnic cancer 
        care equity.
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