A Key in the Fight for Health Equity Coaches vs. Cancer

A KEY IN THE FIGHT FOR HEALTH EQUITY

Not only does Coaches vs. Cancer reflect some of the best of NABC’s past, the unique program is positioned to help the NABC address a critical issue moving forward – health equity .

“Cancer is a disease that can affect anyone, but it does not affect everyone equally,” said Craig Robinson, the executive director of the NABC . “Black communities and other populations disparately impacted by cancer experience greater obstacles to cancer prevention, detection, treatment, and survival . ”

Some of these disparities go beyond the obvious connection to cancer . They include structural racism, poverty, lack of access to affordable healthy foods, jobs with inadequate pay, low quality education and housing, and unsafe environments .

Research shows that while overall cancer mortality rates are dropping, populations who are marginalized are bearing a disproportionate burden of preventable death and disease . The American Cancer Society (ACS) is re-examining and deepening efforts on how to more intentionally address health equity in research, programs, services, and advocacy . Just this month, ACS launched its updated health equity landing page, which offers comprehensive data and resources about how health disparities impact cancer research and treatment . More information is available at cancer . org/healthequity .

The NABC and ACS are dynamic teammates .

Since 1993, the two organizations have partnered together to use the basketball platform to fight cancer through the Coaches vs . Cancer program, the NABC’s charity partner of choice . The program has raised more than $130 million during that period – often bringing in just a few thousand dollars at a time . And the efforts are collectively making a difference . Last year, the American Cancer Society announced the cancer death rate has dropped 29% since 1991 .

However, ACS has stated that “if we are to further reduce deaths from cancer and achieve our mortality goal of reducing cancer deaths by 40% by 2035, we need to make sure everyone has the ability to benefit from the advances in the prevention and treatment of cancer . ”

South Carolina head coach and 2016 Coaches vs . Cancer Champion Award recipient Frank Martin currently serves as co-chair of the NABC’s Committee on Racial Reconciliation .

“Health equity is a real and very important issue in our country, and the stats show that certain populations have a much higher risk of serious medical issues, like cancer, due to not having access to proper medical care; both preventable care and the needed treatments after a diagnosis,” said Martin . “I’m proud to be a part of both the NABC and Coaches vs . Cancer organizations, and as coaches we all need to continue to engage our communities and together help bring awareness to this issue . ”

Being a part of Coaches vs . Cancer is being a part of the fight for people who need help. And, in 2020, more people need help than ever .

Navigating a pandemic and reckoning with racial injustice is deeply impacting people from all walks of life . But threats to health, financial losses, and emotional distress are taking an especially hard toll on cancer patients, their families and caregivers .

• 80% of cancer patients have seen a delay in their healthcare . Months of limited screenings and treatments mean less early detection and the risk of more deaths in the future . We are not diagnosing cancers we know are there .

• ACS is projecting a 50% decline in funding of promising research this year as donors face economic uncertainty .

Failing to invest in research now means we will have fewer preventative tools, fewer treatment options, lost progress towards a cure, and ultimately, more deaths from cancer in the future .

• People in the poorest areas have 20%-25% higher cancer death rates than those in the most affluent areas. And the gap is widening, as the people in the poorest areas lack access to cancer education, healthcare and screenings .

Where you live shouldn’t determine if you live .

• Blacks have the highest death rate and shortest survival of any racial or ethnic group in the US for most cancers .

Cancer prevention and treatment is a social justice issue .

Blacks have 14% higher cancer death rates than non-

Hispanic whites .

Like the NABC, Coaches vs . Cancer is for any coach at any level .

First-year East Central University head coach Chris Crutchfield has spent the last decade working with coaches Lon Kruger (Oklahoma) and Eric Musselman (Arkansas), both who are extremely involved with Coaches vs . Cancer .

“It doesn’t matter the size of the program or at what level you coach . Cancer impacts us all and we all have a platform to be a part of the battle” said Crutchfield. “We know being involved with Coaches vs . Cancer is a great opportunity to show the young men in our program it’s important to be a part of something bigger than basketball . ”

The NABC and the American Cancer Society encourage you to find your role on the Coaches vs. Cancer team. Contact your local ACS office or Natalie Morrison at natalie . morrison@cancer . org .