To address cancer disparities, UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center is launching the Center for Advancing Cancer Health Equity, which will conduct community-engaged research and interventions using multi-level approaches.
The new center will build on the progress made to date in reducing health disparities, particularly through the cancer center’s population sciences and health disparities research programs along with the Office of Community Outreach and Engagement.
“The ultimate goal is to achieve cancer health equity within the entire catchment area,” said Luis Carvajal-Carmona, founding director of the new center. “The concerted efforts of the Center for Advancing Cancer Health Equity will not only contribute to improved health outcomes in our under-served populations but will also result in a body of work that will influence cancer-related policy decisions at the county, state and national levels.”
“We need to continue to address the root causes of cancer health disparities,” said UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center Director Primo “Lucky” Lara, Jr. “Avoiding or surviving cancer should not depend on your zip code and that’s why we have established the Center for Advancing Cancer Health Equity, because everyone deserves an equal chance at a healthy life.”
The new center will also make important contributions to diversity, equity and inclusive excellence by promoting and supporting the careers of women, people of color, and those from other underrepresented groups at UC Davis.
“We cannot achieve health equity if our clinicians, scientists, staff and trainees do not reflect the racial/ethnic and socioeconomic background of the patients and communities we serve,” said Carvajal-Carmona, who was also recently appointed as the cancer center’s chief diversity officer and who will oversee our new Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.
