A study by Indiana University public
health researchers found that the opportunity for significant progress in
addressing cervical cancer across the country is being squandered -- not
because of a lack of money -- but because of a void of leadership and
organization at the state levels.
"We focus on cervical cancer because it is likely the 'low-hanging fruit' opportunity to beat a cancer in this generation," said Dr. Beth Meyerson, a health policy expert at the IU School of Public Health-Bloomington and co-director of the Center for Rural AIDS/STD Prevention. "We have the tools of HPV vaccination, screening and treatment; but uninsured women and women of color experience huge health disparities. This is the signal that we have a health system problem."
"We focus on cervical cancer because it is likely the 'low-hanging fruit' opportunity to beat a cancer in this generation," said Dr. Beth Meyerson, a health policy expert at the IU School of Public Health-Bloomington and co-director of the Center for Rural AIDS/STD Prevention. "We have the tools of HPV vaccination, screening and treatment; but uninsured women and women of color experience huge health disparities. This is the signal that we have a health system problem."
Meyerson and her research colleagues
conducted interviews with 15 professionals working in programs involving
cervical cancer. These included federal and state government breast and
cervical cancer programs; women's health and cancer control; national advocacy
organizations engaged in sexual health and cancer; legislative affairs;
researchers working in cervical cancer intervention and evaluation; state coalitions
engaged in cervical cancer efforts; and partners from industry working on
diagnostics, therapeutics or vaccines.
Read more >>
