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Updated: Jun 5, 2026
14:32
Using Visual and Narrative Methods to Achieve Fair Process in Clinical Care
Published on: February 16, 2011
Value and cancer care: toward an equitable future.
Lowell E Schnipper1, Neal J Meropol, Dan W Brock
1Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, USA. lschnipp@bidmc.harvard.edu
Summary
Rising healthcare costs and cancer prevalence necessitate a reevaluation of cancer therapeutic value. Defining value is crucial for equitable healthcare distribution and maximizing patient and societal benefit.
Area of Science:
- Health Economics
- Oncology
- Public Health Policy
Background:
- US healthcare expenses are rapidly increasing, projected to reach 20% of GNP.
- Cancer is the second leading cause of death, with rising prevalence due to an aging population and limited prevention strategies.
- Targeted cancer therapies offer potential benefits but are often modestly effective and very costly.
Purpose of the Study:
- To address the urgent need for a definition of value in cancer therapeutics.
- To explore equitable distribution of healthcare resources for cancer care.
- To examine the implications of healthcare spending on cancer patients and society.
Main Methods:
- Conceptual analysis of healthcare economics and oncology.
- Review of current trends in cancer treatment and expenditure.
- Discussion of equity in healthcare resource allocation.
Main Results:
- A universally accepted definition of value for cancer therapeutics is currently lacking.
- The high cost and modest efficacy of many targeted therapies challenge existing value frameworks.
- Cancer care spending, though a smaller portion of the budget, highlights broader issues of healthcare equity.
Conclusions:
- A clear definition of therapeutic value is essential for patients and society.
- Equitable distribution of healthcare funds is critical to achieve the greatest good.
- Cancer care serves as a model for addressing healthcare equity challenges.
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