How to support House resolution to address health disparities

Disparities in healthcare continue to impact the colorectal cancer community. Black Americans are 20% more likely than their non-Hispanic white counterparts to be diagnosed with colorectal cancer and 35% more likely to die from it. A patient's stage at diagnosis is a pivotal factor in survival, and Black individuals are most likely to be diagnosed with advanced colorectal cancer. 

The Colorectal Cancer Alliance encourages action in communities and the halls of Congress to write a new narrative, one in which all citizens have an equal opportunity to live a healthy life, free from this highly preventable disease. You can be a part of the change as we work to help eliminate health disparities and improve health outcomes. 

What is the Resolution?

A resolution re-introduced today by Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman and co-led by Congressman Donald M. Payne, Jr. proposes that the House of Representatives:

• Recognize the deadly impact colorectal cancer has on the American people.
• Acknowledge the racial disparity the Black community faces when dealing with colorectal cancer. 
• Encourage the Center for Disease Control and Prevention to continue and expand their work to identify those factors that result in the colorectal racial screening disparity, and develop effective strategies to reduce and ultimately eliminate racial disparities in colorectal screening.
• Encourage everyone to get colorectal cancer screening when recommended by the United States Preventive Services Task Force.
• Encourage the United States Preventive Services Task Force to finalize its recommendation that screening begin at 45 years of age and provide special recommendations highlighting the impact of colorectal cancer on the Black community.
• Encourage the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to conduct research to determine any environmental factors, and the National Institutes of Health to conduct research into any physiological factors that cause an elevated risk for colorectal cancer in young adults.
• Urge state health plans to quickly adopt new measures to cover colorectal screenings for individuals at a lower age, with special consideration for the Black community and all those at higher risk for colorectal cancer. 

The Colorectal Cancer Alliance endorses this resolution, and urges congressional members to co-sponsor this piece of legislation for greater impact.

Here’s How You Can Help

To get more congressional representatives to support this essential resolution, we need to make our voices heard. Our representatives work for us. Therefore, we need to inform them about the issues that matter to us. 

By contacting your representative and urging them to support this resolution, you are taking one more step toward positive change.

“We are proud allies of Representatives Bonnie Watson Coleman and Donald M. Payne, Jr. and their continued efforts to overcome systemic health disparities with a focus on colorectal cancer,” said Michael Sapieniza, CEO of the Colorectal Cancer Alliance. “A person's unique characteristics should have no bearing on the quality of healthcare they can access — we are all Americans." 

Use this tool to help find your representative.

Helpful Language When Contacting Your Representative

You might be wondering how you can voice your concerns or show your support for this resolution. Not to worry – the Colorectal Cancer Alliance has compiled some messaging for you:

• Health disparities in the Black community are unacceptable. Colorectal cancer is the second deadliest cancer in America, disproportionately affecting communities of color. Please co-sponsor Bonnie Coleman and Donald Payne, Jr.’s important resolution – 116HRes242 – today. Every day we wait, more lives are lost. 
• We need to encourage change in our government and medical institutions. We need to create equity in our healthcare system. Colorectal cancer is the fourth most common cancer and affects Black Americans at significantly higher rates. Please do your part and co-sponsor Bonnie Coleman and Donald Payne, Jr.’s resolution  – 116HRes242.

Of course, feel free to share your own thoughts on why this resolution matters to you.

The Alliance Calls for Change

Now is the time to implement a necessary change in the way our government approaches colorectal cancer. This March, the Colorectal Cancer Alliance is making waves as we honor National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. 

There’s no reason for colorectal cancer to be the second deadliest cancer. There’s no justification for Black Americans battling this disease in greater proportions than their counterparts. There’s no room for complacency and every need for impactful, lasting, change. 

Stand with the Alliance this March as we make history. Find and contact your representative today.