Health Care Policy and Disparities in Health

The United States has seen a 33% decline in age-adjusted cancer mortality since 1991. Despite this achievement, the United States has some of the greatest health disparities of any developed nation. US government policies are increasingly directed toward reducing health disparities and promoting health equity. These policies govern the conduct of research, cancer prevention, access, and payment for care. Although implementation of policies has played a significant role in the successes of cancer control, inconsistent implementation of policy has resulted in divergent outcomes; poorly designed or inadequately implemented policies have hindered progress in reducing cancer death rates and, in certain cases, exacerbated existing disparities. Examining policies affecting cancer control in the United States and realizing their unintended consequences are crucial in addressing cancer inequities.