Journal of health care for the poor and underserved
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J Health Care Poor Underserved · Jan 1993
Review Historical ArticleThe African-American cancer crisis, Part II: A prescription.
To appreciate the causes of the African-American cancer crisis, contemporary myths and perceptual gaps regarding cancer in blacks must be analyzed and placed in historical context. Since ancient times, racism has permeated western scientific, medical, and social cultures. Yet contemporary analysts typically frame a 370-year-old African-American health deficit in nonracial terms, and ignore both the metamorphosis of racism and the impact of racism on the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer; exposure to cancer-causing industrial pollutants; educational opportunities for black health professionals and policymakers, and other factors. If the African-American cancer crisis is to be halted, the growing divergence between urgent needs and meager resources devoted to preventing, detecting, and treating cancer in blacks must be sharply reversed.
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As our nation attempts to address the multiple health and social needs of children, it is obvious that the so-called safety net of services for children and families is currently not meeting their needs. Within the current dialogue over health care reform, the special needs of children and pregnant women must not be lost. This paper discusses basic components which should be included in any discussion of health care reform. Individualized personal involvement in the solution to the health and social problems of today's underserved children and families is crucial.