IV 
118TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. RES. 992 
Recognizing February 4, 2024, as ‘‘World Cancer Day’’, and its theme ‘‘Close 
the Care Gap’’, to raise awareness about and launch efforts to eliminate 
racial and ethnic inequities and disparities in cancer care both in the 
United States and globally. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
FEBRUARY 1, 2024 
Ms. SEWELL (for herself, Mrs. WATSON COLEMAN, Ms. KELLY of Illinois, and 
Mr. GRIJALVA) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 
the Committee on Energy and Commerce 
RESOLUTION 
Recognizing February 4, 2024, as ‘‘World Cancer Day’’, 
and its theme ‘‘Close the Care Gap’’, to raise awareness 
about and launch efforts to eliminate racial and ethnic 
inequities and disparities in cancer care both in the 
United States and globally. 
Whereas globally, approximately 1 in 5 people develops can-
cer during their lifetime, and 1 in 8 men and 1 in 11 
women die from the disease; 
Whereas the estimated global economic cost of cancer over 
the 
next 
three 
decades 
will 
reach 
over 
$25,000,000,000,000, with the United States facing the 
second-largest economic costs of cancer; 
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Whereas it is estimated that in 2023, more than 1,900,000 
new cancer cases and more than 600,000 cancer deaths 
occurred in the United States; 
Whereas, although cancer incidence and mortality rates de-
creased overall for all racial and ethnic groups, African 
Americans and American Indians/Alaska Natives con-
tinue to have disproportionately higher rates of cancer 
than Whites (according to the American Cancer Society’s 
‘‘Cancer Facts and Figures’’ report); 
Whereas targeted cancer screening programs can effectively 
identify high-risk populations; 
Whereas research shows that the overall cancer screening 
rates are lower among African Americans, Latinos, Asian 
Americans, and American Indian/Alaska Natives than 
Whites; 
Whereas prevention and early detection initiatives can help 
significantly reduce cancer care disparities and inequities, 
and improve patient outcomes; 
Whereas recent findings suggest that people of color, when 
compared to Whites, receive later diagnoses for some 
types of cancer; 
Whereas increased patient navigation services can play a cru-
cial role in reducing barriers to timely and appropriate 
cancer screenings and care by guiding patients through 
the complex health care system; 
Whereas expanding racial and ethnic diversity in clinical 
trials ensures the inclusivity of all populations and im-
proves the generalizability of vitally important research 
findings; 
Whereas the underrepresentation of people of color, from 
both urban and rural communities, in clinical trials per-
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petuates and exacerbates racial and ethnic cancer inequi-
ties and disparities, and limits access to potentially life-
saving treatments; 
Whereas, in 2021, the Director of the Centers for Disease 
Control and Prevention declared racism a serious public 
health threat and announced efforts undertaken by the 
agency to accelerate its efforts to address racism as a 
fundamental driver of racial and ethnic health disparities 
and inequities; 
Whereas research suggests that racial and ethnic disparities 
in cancer and in cancer care are driven by systemic in-
equities both in society and within and throughout the 
United States health system that are rooted in racism 
and discrimination; 
Whereas significant racial and ethnic disparities exist in ac-
cess to treatment according to nationally recognized can-
cer care guidelines; 
Whereas these disparities have a profound impact on stage of 
cancer diagnoses, access to consistent and quality cancer 
care, optimal patient outcomes, quality of life, and overall 
health equity; 
Whereas addressing and closing the cancer care gap is an ur-
gent priority, and in recognition of this, the American 
Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, the National Mi-
nority Quality Forum, and the National Comprehensive 
Cancer Network formed the Alliance for Cancer Care Eq-
uity (ACCE); 
Whereas ACCE is a group of health equity and patient advo-
cates, community-based organizations, and professional 
societies working to support policies, promote practices, 
and create systems that prioritize the elimination of ra-
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•HRES 992 IH 
cial and ethnic disparities and inequities across all can-
cers; and 
Whereas, in 2024, commemorations for ‘‘World Cancer Day’’ 
recognize the vital role of governments in advancing can-
cer care by eliminating racial and ethnic disparities and 
inequities in access to prevention, early screening and di-
agnostic services, and quality care and treatment: Now, 
therefore, be it 
Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 
(1) supports ‘‘World Cancer Day’’; 
(2) acknowledges the urgent need to eliminate 
barriers to consistent and reliable access to cancer 
screening programs, early detection initiatives, and 
quality cancer care for all racial and ethnic groups; 
(3) acknowledges that structural and systemic 
racism and discrimination are fundamental drivers 
in the Nation’s pressing and persistent racial and 
ethnic cancer care disparities and inequities; 
(4) recognizes the need for greater public 
awareness campaigns to educate those most affected 
by racial and ethnic disparities and inequities in 
cancer care about the importance of cancer screen-
ing and early detection across cancers with effective 
screening options, and how those services can be 
accessed; 
(5) commends the Alliance for Cancer Care Eq-
uity (ACCE) for its commitment to support policies, 
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promote practices, and create systems that prioritize 
the elimination of racial and ethnic disparities and 
inequities across all cancers; 
(6) encourages greater collaboration between 
health care practices and community-based organiza-
tions serving and representing communities of color 
to provide consistent and comprehensive cancer care 
and support services; 
(7) acknowledges the importance of patient 
navigation services in reducing racial and ethnic can-
cer care disparities and inequities by removing bar-
riers to care by guiding patients through complex 
health care systems; 
(8) recognizes the importance of including 
health equity and community-based organizations, 
and patient advocacy groups in the design, pro-
motion, recruitment, implementation, and analysis of 
clinical trials; 
(9) supports strengthening existing and expand-
ing new efforts to reduce racial and ethnic cancer 
care inequities and disparities to close the persistent 
and pervasive care gap for cancer because everyone, 
regardless of racial and ethnic background, should 
have access to quality cancer care; and 
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•HRES 992 IH 
(10) urges a greater commitment to disman-
tling structural and systemic racism and discrimina-
tion in both the United States health system and so-
ciety at large that create, sustain, and exacerbate 
persistent and costly cancer care disparities and in-
equities in order to achieve racial and ethnic cancer 
care equity. 
Æ 
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