Disparities – or inequalities – occur when members of certain populations do not enjoy the same health status as other groups.  Cancer disparities exists when one group of people has a higher incidence or mortality rate than another, or when survival rates are lower in one group than the general population.

Disparities are most often identified along racial and ethnic lines, with ethnic minorities suffering most from cancer and other common chronic diseases.  However, disparities extend beyond race and ethnicity and also can involve:

• Environmental factors – such as residents of rural communities that have limited access to healthcare
• Behavioral factors – e.g., populations with higher than average smoking rates or high fat diets and limited physical activity
• Differences based on income and education – less educated/lower income individuals often have lower access to quality healthcare and information that could help them reduce cancer risks or gain access to cancer screening services.

Nationally, cancer disparities are most often determined and measured by three health statistics: incidence (the number of new cancers); mortality (the number of cancer deaths); and survival rates (length of survival following diagnosis of cancer).  Other cancer-related disparity measurements include:

• Screening rates
• Risk behaviors
• Access to quality health care
• Clinical trials access and participation
• Health insurance
• Education and literacy rates

Priority Populations:
The SWGCC Disparities Center will examine gaps in quality of and access to care among populations suffering from health disparities in Southwest Georgia.  Programs will be developed and implemented that eliminate barriers to care and improve access to culturally-appropriate information among:

• Racial and ethnic minorities, specifically African Americans and Mexican Americans
• Low income groups
• The elderly
• Residents of rural areas
• Individuals with special health care needs (such as the disabled)