The American Lung Association is responding to disparities in lung cancer treatment of Black Americans with the expansion of its Awareness, Trust and Action program. In this endeavor, the organization is seeking to increase awareness among Black Americans about clinical trials for lung cancer treatment.
“This underrepresentation happens for many reasons, with one of them being the long-standing history of racial bias in healthcare, which impacts access to care and trust in providers,” said the American Lung Association in a press statement. “It is important to enroll a diverse group of people in clinical trials so researchers can understand the effects of potential treatment methods on the different patient populations.”
As part of this endeavor, the organization stated it would campaign to address misconceptions and mistrust around clinical trials and convey their value as a potential treatment option. It also pledged to encourage Black Americans to proactively confer with their doctors about lung cancer clinical trials.
“Given the disproportionate impact of lung disease on historically underserved communities, the Lung Association embraces diversity as a moral and mission-driven imperative,” the organization added.
