Access to Care

The Health Insurance Crisis

"Having health insurance coverage is the single greatest determinant of access to health care services," explains Eve Nagler, ACS director of special populations -- but racial and ethnic minority people are less likely to have their medical expenses covered by insurance than whites. Surveys show about a third of Hispanic/Latinos and 20% of Black Americans have no coverage -- coverage that could help pay for early detection exams like a mammogram or colonoscopy.

Barriers to Early Detection 

Public scrutiny and research funds have grown since the first National Minority Cancer Awareness Week in 1986. Research has identified several interdependent causes for high minority cancer rates. A significant cause is poor access to health care. The uninsured are more often diagnosed with advanced cancer when survival rates are lower.

Why don't minorities have full access to high quality health care? Learn why here. 

Advocacy

The American Cancer Society is actively working to be sure cancer early detection tests reach every adult in minority and medically underserved communities. And the Society works both independently and collaboratively with others to influence public policies and laws that may help reduce cancer disparities among ethnic groups. To get involved, become a member of our American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network.

For more information about the American Cancer Society's access to care campaign, visit www.cancer.org/access. Watch our public service announcements below:

Kathy's Cancer Battle
Raina's Cancer Burden Without Health Care
Access to Care Crisis and Cancer

Support for the Uninsured and Underinsured

If you are uninsured or underinsured, you can contact us at 1.800.ACS.2345 to get connected with resources in your area. Whether you speak English, Mandarin, or Spanish, we can offer assistance in more than 11 languages.

The State Health Insurance Assistance Programs help both uninsured and underinsured patients navigate through health insurance issues.