WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Biden-Harris Administration has taken another step towards its goal of ending cancer as we know it by awarding nearly $11 million to 22 health centers through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). This latest investment doubles the support for the Accelerating Cancer Screening Program, which aims to close the cancer screening gap and reduce the impact of preventable cancers in underserved communities.
HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra stated that the department is doing all it can to make cancer prevention and screening services accessible to everyone in the US and that today’s investment in health centers is a step towards reducing disparities in cancer screenings. HRSA Administrator Carole Johnson added that early identification and treatment are crucial to achieving the President’s goal of cutting the cancer death rate. However, many families in underserved communities still face challenges in getting life-saving cancer screenings.
Cancer is the second-leading cause of death in the United States, with approximately 600,000 deaths annually. However, disparities in cancer screening and follow-up care based on income, insurance status, and race or ethnicity still exist. The Accelerating Cancer Screening Program aims to address these disparities by leveraging outreach specialists and patient navigators to promote the early detection of cancer and connect patients to screening services and high-quality cancer care and treatment.
This $11 million investment in 2023 doubles HRSA’s investment in the program from $5 million in 2022 and is a critical move towards reaching the Cancer Moonshot goals set by the Biden-Harris Administration.