Closing the Cancer Divide

A Blueprint to Expand Access in Low and Middle Income Countries

On October 28, 2011, the Global Task Force on Expanded Access to Cancer Care and Control in Developing Countries (GTF.CCC) launched this outstanding report on expanding cancer control in Low and Middle Income Countries. Released at an international conference at Harvard University, this is a highly recommended resource on the issue.

This solution-oriented, in-depth report is divided into three sections: (1) ‘Much should be done’ (2) ‘Much could be done’ (3) ‘Much can be done’. The report emphasizes a ‘diagonal approach’, where specific improvements benefiting cancer control simultaneously benefit other targeted disease control efforts and addresses gaps in the health system itself. Examples include integrating of cervical cancer prevention and early detection into maternal and child health programs, and improved access to opioids for palliative care benefiting a range of conditions (e.g. HIV/AIDS).

This report describes five strategic areas for action: innovations in delivery, improving access to medicines, vaccines and health technologies by removing price and non-price barriers, innovations in financing, production and application of more and better evidence for decision making, and more effective stewardship and leadership of national and global actors.

This report is sure to be widely referenced and well-used over the coming years. http://ghsm.hms.harvard.edu/uploads/pdf/ccd_report_111027.pdf

                                                                                     Posted by:  Tim Hanna