Factors related to combating cancer disparities through policy

RESEARCH OBJECTIVE: African Americans suffer a disproportionate burden from cancer. In South Carolina, the cancer disparities are even greater. The overall goal of the NCI-funded South Carolina Cancer Disparities Community Network (SCCDCN) is lessen the burden of cancer in the African American community through collaborations with African American churches. A key component of the SCCDCN is identifying, analyzing, and summarizing policies and programs that impact cancer disparities. STUDY DESIGN: We collected data on policy and programmatic output related to cancer disparities, barriers and facilitators to policy action, and community involvement and awareness associated with cancer disparities. POPULATION STUDIED: This study used data from South Carolina's legislative database (1980-2006) and budget documents (1980-2006). Interviews were conducted with key community leaders, legislators, and employees at the department of health. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Policies enacted during this period were related to establishing cancer surveillance programs and treatment and screening requirements for health insurers. Cancer disparities were relegated to the department of health. The budget, participation by those impacted by cancer in the policy process, too few full time employees, lack of awareness around cancer disparities, coordination between departments, leadership, and culture were mentioned by legislators, public health employees, and community leaders as barriers and facilitators to policies and programs aimed at reducing cancer disparities. CONCLUSIONS: Cancer disparities were addressed by the department of health and the Office of Minority Health. IMPLICATIONS FOR POLICY, DELIVERY OR PRACTICE: The community, in particular, the African American church is well positioned to adovate for cancer disparity legislation.