An overview of state legislative efforts to address disparities in cancer incidence, morbidity, and mortality

Eliminating health disparities is a primary goal of Healthy People 2010, a statement of national health objectives designed to identify the most significant preventable health threats and to establish national goals for reducing them. Most researchers agree that many of the causes of health disparities are rooted in society-level policies and norms. Therefore, state laws will serve as an essential tool for raising awareness of inequities in cancer incidence, morbidity, and mortality, and for addressing their causes by promoting cancer awareness, ensuring access to screening and treatment, and reducing environmental and behavioral risk factors. This presentation presents the results of a qualitative content analysis of state laws effective as of December 31, 2006, that address the problem of cancer disparities. New data from the National Cancer Institute's State Cancer Legislative Database were analyzed to identify the nature and extent of state laws addressing cancer disparities, with particular emphasis on provisions addressing disparities due to race, ethnicity, geographic location, language, culture, or socioeconomic status. Preliminary results reveal that state legislatures have focused on economic and geographical access to cancer screening and treatment, public education and outreach related to cancer prevention in disparities populations, study and surveillance of the cancer disparities problem, and awareness of cancer-related health disparities. State policies carefully aimed at reducing disparities could profoundly impact public health service delivery and outcomes. Understanding these policy efforts will be important in assessing states' progress in addressing this critical issue.