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A Virtual Conversation with Harold P. Freeman, M.D. — The Disconnect between Discovery and Delivery
December 19, 2023
In part two of this series, Harold P. Freeman, M.D., discusses the disconnect between discovery and delivery of care.
The disconnect between discovery and delivery, and putting navigation into practice
In 1971, President Richard M. Nixon declared the war on cancer and signed the National Cancer Act on December 23. Harold P. Freeman, M.D., saw on a daily basis the effects of this “war” through his work with cancer patients in Harlem. Freeman determined through his research that poverty was driving the cancer problem, even more so than race. Recognizing he could not solve the problem as a single effort, Freeman set out to improve health care universally, for all races.
“When you talking about helping poor black people in America and in whatever way you can, including Medicaid, you can’t have Medicaid for one race, you’ve got to solve it universally.” – Harold P. Freeman, M.D.
Freeman examines the disconnect between the discovery of cancer and the delivery of care. Still today, a cancer diagnosis does not translate to equitable treatment for all. Freeman saw poverty as one of the most prevalent barriers to cancer care, as well as other social causes, including culture and and social injustice. These barriers would eventually become known as social determinants — or drivers — of health.
Freeman dives into these social causes in the context of the cancer continuum, and their effects on a patient’s journey from diagnosis through treatment and, finally, resolution. Looking to those who knew the community best, Freeman recruited the first navigators from the public, lay community members who were trained to take the patient from point A to point B, from discovery to delivery, while helping them to understand the process along the way.
Explore part 3 of this series as Dr. Freeman shares the importance of equitable care delivery and the role of navigation in mitigating barriers to care.
Written by: Jennifer Drummond