Dateline DFCI
Institute focuses attention on reducing health disparities
Efforts to address racial and ethnic inequities in cancer care have been growing at Dana-Farber, and now the Institute has an experienced advocate to coordinate and lead this work.
Laurie Nsiah-Jefferson, MPH
As the first director of health disparities, Laurie Nsiah-Jefferson, MPH, who is also a PhD candidate in health policy, will use her expertise and findings from health services and population-based research to help improve care for underserved and minority groups.
"There's a lot of excitement and energy about these issues, and I look forward to developing initiatives, collaborations, and a comprehensive plan that serves both the Institute and the community," says Nsiah-Jefferson, who has been focusing on health disparities for two decades. "It's important that we connect the dots between outcomes research and patient care."
Among the projects she oversees is the new patient navigators program. Established this winter, it aims to help people from underserved populations with cancer concerns receive care and support at the Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women's Cancer Center.
As the name implies, navigators will help steer patients through the sometimes choppy waters of cancer care, working to identify barriers (such as language, culture, race, ethnicity, or income) and making sure they get timely follow-up services and treatment. For example, a woman with an abnormal Pap smear might miss her follow-up appointment at Dana-Farber because she lacks child care, has to work, or is afraid; navigators can help address such obstacles.
"As a socially responsible institution, we need to confront health disparities in cancer care, and this program is a good start," says Dana-Farber's Carolyn Hayes, PhD, RN. "We have many excellent services, and we want to help people take advantage of them."
