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40%

Black women are 40% more likely to die of breast cancer than white women and are twice as likely to die if they are over 50.

Twice as Likely

Hispanic individuals diagnosed with liver cancer are twice as likely to die as a result of the disease than non-Hispanic whites.

Only 3% of oncologists are located in rural areas making access to cancer care a major barrier for the approximately 60 million Americans living in rural areas.

HEALTH EQUITY FOR RESEARCH & OPERATIONS (H.E.R.O.)

All people deserve a fair and just opportunity to live longer, healthier lives.

At the American Cancer Society, we are fighting for health equity.

We are not new to this fight. We have funded more than 550 grants totaling more than $300 million in health equity and disparities research and we’ve been implementing cancer control interventions, and partnering with community organizations and coalitions to help those most in need.

The H.E.R.O Initiative is our commitment to continue this work… because no one should be disadvantaged in their fight against cancer because of how much money they make, the color of their skin, their sexual orientation, their gender identity, their disability status, or where they live.

Of all the forms of inequality, injustice in health care is the most shocking and inhumane.”
– MARTIN LUTHER KING, 1966

American Cancer Society Health Equity and Cancer Disparities Research Grants in Effect

Use the map below to explore how incidence rates, screening rates and mortality rates vary by state, race and socioeconomic factors

Join in Our Fight

Where Dollars Go
The Health Equity for Research and Operations (H.E.R.O.) Fund goes toward reducing cancer disparities through research, advocacy, cancer control programs, and partnerships.
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Success Stories
For more than 20 years, the American Cancer Society has been funding research addressing cancer health equity and health disparities.
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How To Get Involved

The bottom line is that with your partnership, the American Cancer Society can save even more lives every day. There are an infinite number of ways to get involved and advance equity in cancer, including: