At GO2 for Lung Cancer, diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) principles fuel our work to save, extend and improve the lives of ALL those vulnerable, at risk, and diagnosed with lung cancer. GO2 serves a diverse population and is committed to reducing lung cancer disparities among under-resourced communities and achieving health equity from early detection through treatment and long-term survival.
Reducing disparities and achieving health care equity for the lung cancer community
With over 30 years of experience, GO2 for Lung Cancer understands the unmet needs and disparities in health outcomes that exist in our community. Social determinants of health, that include, but not limited to geographic location, education level, access to healthcare/quality services, and race or ethnicity, can result in inequities across the lung cancer trajectory, including:
Understanding of and access to preventive screening
Access to guideline-based care, biomarker testing, and personalized treatment options
Access to second opinions
Awareness of and access to clinical trials
Access to survivorship resources, programs, and support
Strategic vision to achieve health equity and transform survivorship
In 2023 GO2 reaffirmed its commitment to achieving health equity through a comprehensive strategic plan transform survival by:
- Increasing the rate of lung cancer diagnosed early.
- Increasing the rate of comprehensive biomarker testing and precision medicine.
- Increasing the reach and impact of community engagement.
- Improving quality of life.
More than 8 out of 10 (80%) of people receive their care at community cancer centers. Our success will be measured within our growing national network of over 300 community hospitals, clinics, academic, and VA medical centers that have received our Center of Excellence (COE) designation. This dynamic provider network confirms that high-quality screening and cancer care can be provided at the community level. Our work with local providers allows us to gather real-world, real-time information to understand barriers, develop solutions, and measure impact, especially for vulnerable and underserved segments of our community.
Examples of our commitment to DEIB include:
- Implementing a large scale demonstration project in New York state to improve the access and uptake of lung cancer screening in over 20 of the most impoverished counties.
- Educating hundreds of lung cancer navigators through our national Lung Cancer Navigator Program to improve the reach and quality of care provided across the lung cancer continuum for all people who are at risk and experience lung cancer.
- Focusing outreach and COE program expansion efforts in regions of the country with high-risk, underserved communities heavily impacted by lung cancer, such as Kentucky and other “tobacco belt” states.
- Piloting programs with a focus on primarily African American, rural, and under-resourced, high-need areas, including:
- In partnership with the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center (UAB), the Alabama Lung Cancer Awareness, Screening, and Education (ALCASE) project using a Community Health Advisor model to educate on lung cancer risk and screening while building regional capacity for excellence in screening and care.
- In collaboration with Vanderbilt University, UAB and Augusta University, the Studying Trial Determinants of Success (STRIDES) project, designed to understand and address barriers to clinical trial participation in Black communities in Alabama, Tennessee and Georgia.
- Increasing efforts to measure reach to and engagement with underserved populations and geographic areas within our community to improve our HelpLine, LungMATCH, Lung Cancer Registry, and COE programs and inform our health policy strategies to ensure equitable access to care.
- Partnering with the Department of Veterans Affairs to reach, educate, and screen Veterans at high risk by providing technical assistance to VA medical centers and expanding access to screening and care through our COE network.
- Working directly with the vulnerable small cell lung cancer patient community to improve survival rates and access to care with support, targeted educational materials, and cutting-edge clinical trials.
Our efforts combine qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis to identify best practices and strategies. We learn what others are doing to avoid duplication and, using prioritization methodology, we make the best use of our resources to make the greatest impact on the many needs of the lung cancer community.
Building a strong culture
GO2 for Lung Cancer maintains a long-standing commitment to equal employment opportunities for all. We strive to cultivate an environment where every team member feels empowered to contribute fully and where their individuality is appreciated and valued. This includes, but is not limited to:
Using merit-based, skills-focused metrics for success.
Creating a workplace where all employees feel valued and respected.
Providing opportunities for professional development.