LLS's Equity in Access Research Program
Awards Four New Grants to Researchers Studying the Relationship
Between Health Insurance and Access to Care and Interventions to
Increase Therapeutic Clinical Trial Enrollment and
Diversity
RYE
BROOK, N.Y., July 10,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Leukemia & Lymphoma
Society's (LLS) Equity in Access Research Program has
collectively awarded nearly $6.5
million to health services researchers working to uncover
and ultimately address the social, economic, and environmental
disadvantages that stand in the way of blood cancer patients and
survivors accessing the high-quality treatment and care they need
throughout their lives.
"No other organization is funding research
specifically on equity in access for blood cancer patients and
survivors."
LLS expanded Equity in Access in 2024 by releasing two Requests
for Proposals, which sought proposals that would generate evidence
to increase understanding of the impact of health insurance on
access to care and that would implement and evaluate interventions
designed to improve therapeutic clinical trial enrollment,
particularly among underrepresented groups.
Findings from these studies will enable LLS to draw on a greater
body of actionable evidence to inform its own and others' efforts
to foster meaningful change in healthcare policy and develop
programs that tangibly improve the lives of blood cancer patients
and survivors.
"While cancer can impact anyone, the unfortunate reality is that
equitable access to high-quality, affordable treatment and care is
out of reach for many, and no other organization is funding
research specifically on equity in access for blood cancer patients
and survivors," said Eric Cooks, PhD, Senior Director, Equity
in Access Research Program at LLS. "As a leading cancer nonprofit,
LLS is committed to transforming lives through our holistic
approach across research, patient support, and advocacy which
includes advancing health equity and eliminating health
disparities. This research is a first step toward helping all
patients and survivors achieve meaningful access to the treatment
and care they need when they need it."
LLS's Equity in Access Research Program 2024
Cohort
The program's third cohort has received nearly
$6.5 million in combined funding
and comprises the outstanding researchers below named in
alphabetical order of principal investigator followed by
co-investigators for each study:
- Carma Bylund, PhD, and
Stephanie Staras, PhD, MPH of
the University of
Florida, will focus on the
implementation of community oncology strategies to promote clinical
trial enrollment. The first intervention, Enhanced Connection, will
focus on strengthening the relationship between community
oncologists and trial principal investigators to ultimately reduce
barriers to referral. The second intervention, Enhanced
Communication, will include interactive online training designed to
enhance community oncologist providers' knowledge and attitudes
about trials and their ability to discuss clinical trials with
their patients. This study aims to provide evidence for cancer
centers to integrate these practices into their standard research
operations and to support the continued training of community
oncologists.
- Raymond Mailhot, MD,
MPH, and Erin
Mobley, PhD, MPH of the University of Florida, will leverage a
longitudinal database of electronic health records (EHR),
administrative claims, and tumor registry data to examine
differences in the receipt and quality of Hodgkin lymphoma
treatment and survivorship care by insurance type. This study will
also characterize the decision-making experiences of patients from
racial/ethnic minoritized groups by insurance type. Findings will
inform the development of tailored, personalized approaches to
Hodgkin lymphoma treatment and survivorship care and advocacy for
expanding Medicaid coverage.
- Shazia Nakhoda, MD,
Linda Fleisher, PhD, MPH, and
Zachary Frosch, MD, MS, of
Fox Chase Cancer Center, will carry out a
multi-level intervention to address disparities in clinical trial
enrollment among historically underrepresented groups (e.g.,
racial/ethnic minoritized groups, older adults). This study will
implement a skill-based didactic course for providers to improve
the quality of communication around structural racism, mistrust,
implicit biases, and clinical trial counseling. This study will
also administer a culturally competent, specialized clinical trials
nurse navigation (CTNN) program that connects patients to
educational resources around clinical trials and standardizes
pre-screening for new patients before the initial clinic
appointment. Findings will provide evidence of the effectiveness of
a skill-based communication training that empowers providers to
navigate discussions on clinical trials more openly and effectively
and a dedicated CTNN program that implements early pre-screening
for eligibility and validated patient education tools on trial
accrual.
- Anushree Vichare, PhD, MBBS,
Clese Erikson, MPAff, and
Qian "Eric" Luo, PhD of George
Washington University, will use national-level Medicaid
claims data over eight years (2016-2023) linked to healthcare
utilization information to observe telehealth provision by
hematology oncologists, with a focus on identifying whether there
are differences in telehealth uptake among vulnerable populations
such as racial/ethnic minoritized groups and those living in rural
areas. The study will also examine how recent legislative changes
in telehealth coverage and Medicaid payments impact telehealth
access. By including patients covered by Medicaid, the findings
will provide first-known estimates on patterns of telehealth
utilization by these patients and inform strategies to improve
telehealth access through policy reforms.
Findings from these studies may ultimately lead to better health
outcomes by identifying steps healthcare systems, providers,
insurers, and policymakers can take to increase equitable access to
quality and affordable blood cancer treatment (including treatment
in a clinical trial). LLS will strive to transform the findings and
related recommendations into state and federal policy proposals
that its Office of Public Policy will work to implement.
"LLS continues to build on the success of the program's first
two groups of grant recipients," said Cooks. "We were able to
nearly double the award total from last year, thanks to the
generosity of our donors."
LLS proudly and gratefully acknowledges Royalty Pharma and
AstraZeneca for their support of the Equity in Access Research
Program and other initiatives focused on reducing healthcare
disparities in blood cancer care and treatment.
For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact:
mediarelations@lls.org.
About The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS)
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society® (LLS) is the global leader in
the fight against blood cancer. The LLS mission: Cure leukemia,
lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease, and myeloma, and improve the quality
of life of patients and their families. LLS funds lifesaving blood
cancer research around the world, provides free information and
support services, and is the voice for all blood cancer patients
seeking access to quality, affordable, coordinated care.
Founded in 1949 and headquartered in Rye Brook, NY, LLS has regions throughout
the United States and Canada. To learn more, visit www.LLS.org.
Patients should contact the Information Resource Center at (800)
955-4572, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 9
p.m. ET.
For additional information, visit lls.org/lls-newsnetwork.
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SOURCE The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS)