Cancer, Culture, and Literacy in Cancer Education for Social Justice and Health Equity

What is it about?

The persistence of health disparities is no longer a novel observation, but a well-documented reality whereby many populations have markedly unrelenting poorer levels of health. Inequities are influenced by complex historical and contemporary relationships between health and biology, and further affected by racism, discrimination, socioeconomic status, physical environment, literacy, and sexual orientation/gender identity to name a few [1, 2]. Recognition of such factors is essential for a norm of inclusion for achieving health equity [3]. As society globalizes through technological innovations and migration of populations, increasing prominence of cultural- and literacy-based research opportunities evolves in the field of cancer education. Crucially important is a need to assess, recognize, and address the effect of changing trends and recent events on cancer health disparities. In this editorial, we highlight the continued relevance of culture and health literacy in cancer education, and the promising opportunity that technology may play to advance health equity and social justice.

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