The Steps Ahead - Workshop on Social Inequalities in Cancer
Our all-day workshop brought together a variety of civil society organisations (CSOs) to drive tangible change in our healthcare systems.
Participants discussed healthcare barriers, research on marginalised communities, and actions to address inequities in cancer care.
Some key takeaways:
- Historically, it has been difficult for civil society to influence institutions regarding inequalities in healthcare
- Despite recent advances, the EU still lags behind countries such as the US and Canada when it comes to research, policy, and advocacy on inequalities in healthcare
- European marginalised communities lack trust in public institutions
- The European Cancer Inequalities Registry (ECIR) should be extended to monitor developments and gaps in marginalised communities such as SOGIESC (sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, and sex characteristics), housing, mental health, migration status, and race/ethnicity
- There is a need for improved clinical guidelines to be inclusive, intersectional and holistic, and also to develop practical training for cancer care professionals
- Civil society should be more involved in the design, development, and implementation of EU health programmes. However, support is needed for these interventions as civil societies are generally understaffed, under sourced, and underfunded compared to other actors in EU policy and advocacy
- To tackle inequalities in cancer, areas of health that have historically worked closely with marginalised communities, such as HIV, should be used as examples
The workshop was attended by representatives from the Medical University Vienna, FEANTSA, the European Disability Forum, ILGA-Europe, the CHAIN research centre, the Joint Research Centre, DG SANTE, the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights, Organisation Intersex International Europe, EQUINET, EPHA, Africa Advocacy Foundation, Transgender Europe and Combat Poverty Service.
We look forward to continuing this important dialogue as we work towards a more equitable future in cancer care.
