Health Disparities Committee (HDC) (Special Populations)

Committee Charge

The NRG NCORP Health Disparities Research (HDR) Committee has transformed from a core educational NRG Oncology committee into a protocol generating committee to develop interventional concepts, and to integrate secondary endpoints in NCORP trials and NRG Oncology treatment trials, all focused on health disparities research and improving cancer care and outcomes for underserved populations. HDR will have the ability to develop concepts and, most importantly, to work in close collaboration with NRG NCORP CPCR and CCDR to co-develop protocols as appropriate. The HDR is a shared committee between NRG NCORP and NRG Oncology NCTN (with co-funding). HDR will continue to build on the significant legacy and ongoing work to focus on the following areas:

• Focus 1. Develop interventional studies to decrease health disparities among racial and ethnic minorities;
• Focus 2. Test interventional studies for optimal care of at risk elderly; and
• Focus 3. Identify optimal access to cancer screening, treatment, symptom management and surveillance of rural populations.

The overarching goal of NRG HDR is to understand and address health disparities in an effort to reduce the unequal burden of cancer in the United States (U.S.). Biospecimen collection embedded in these trials will assist in generating new knowledge of genetic and molecular biomarkers associated with disparities. The HDR Committee is comprised of multidisciplinary scientists with expertise in each of the focus areas as well as behavioral health, symptom management, community engagement, and social determinants of health.

NCORP Pilot Projects Funded

• Breaking Down Sexual Health Barriers in Underrepresented Female Cancer Patients Receiving Pelvic Radiation Therapy (Chin)
• Understanding How High Risk Human Papilloma Virus Serotypes Impacts Racial Disparities in Orophayrngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma (Watts)
• Relational Agents in HPV Vaccination (Gogoi)

Committee Vision Statement

The Health Disparities Committee can leverage NRG andNCORP networks to elevate and nurture passion for cancer equity, ensuring thatNRG Oncology trials prioritize health and cancer outcomes for all patients, families and communities.

Health Equity Fellowship Program

Health Equity Awardees (February 2023)

Resources

Resources that have been recommended by members of the NRG Oncology Health Disparities Committee are available by clicking here (login required).

Announcements

Symposium: "Social Determinants of Cancer Care ~ Lessons Learned and Future Directions" hosted by the NRG Oncology Health Disparities Committee -Research Implementation Special Interest Group.  Click here to register.

NRG Oncology Announces Leadership of New Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee, New Vice Chair for Ancillary Projects Committee

Introductory Message from Jennifer Wenzel, PhD, MS, RN, Chair, NRG Health Disparity Committee presented during the NRG Oncology Winter 2021 meeting. Click here to view. 

Cultural Competence Workshops  (login required)