, /PRNewswire/ -- The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's (LLS) has collectively awarded nearly to health services researchers working to uncover and ultimately address the social, economic, and environmental disadvantages that stand in the way of blood cancer patients and survivors accessing the high-quality treatment and care they need throughout their lives. LLS expanded Equity in Access in 2024 by releasing two Requests for Proposals, which sought proposals that would generate evidence to increase understanding of the impact of health insurance on access to care and that would implement and evaluate interventions designed to improve therapeutic clinical trial enrollment, particularly among underrepresented groups. Findings from these studies will enable LLS to draw on a greater body of actionable evidence to inform its own and others' efforts to foster meaningful change in healthcare policy and develop programs that tangibly improve the lives of blood cancer patients and survivors.
"While cancer can impact anyone, the unfortunate reality is that equitable access to high-quality, affordable treatment and care is out of reach for many, and no other organization is funding research specifically on equity in access for blood cancer patients and survivors," said Eric Cooks, PhD, Senior Director, Equity in Access Research Program at LLS. "As a leading cancer nonprofit, LLS is committed to transforming lives through our holistic approach across research, patient support, and advocacy .