This National Minority Health Month, Support the FIND Act to Expand Access to Innovative Diagnostics

Bipartisan Bill Would Help Address Disparities in Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Disease, Breast and Prostate Cancer

Recognized every year in April, National Minority Health Month is an important time to raise awareness about health disparities among people from racial and ethnic minority groups.

While life-threatening illnesses, including cancer and neurologic diseases, occur in all population groups, people of color bear a disproportionate burden. For example, Black women face a higher likelihood of developing breast cancer before age 45 compared to white women and are more likely to die from breast cancer at any age. Meanwhile, 18.6% of Blacks and 14% of Hispanics aged 65 and older have Alzheimer’s dementia compared with 10% of whites.

At Right Scan Right Time, we know that early detection can help save lives. Yet, research continues to show that the overall screening rates are lower among Black, Hispanic, Asian, and American Indian and Alaska Native (AIAN) populations compared to their white counterparts. In 2022, 72% of minority patients did not receive the diagnostic imaging procedures they needed.

Thankfully, patient leaders are taking the first step to address long-standing disparities in care through the Facilitating Innovative Nuclear Diagnostics (FIND) Act (H.B. 1199), which would expand access to innovative diagnostic radiopharmaceuticals that can detect conditions such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, breast and prostate cancer, and neuroendocrine tumors at earlier, more treatable stages.

CLICK HERE to send an email asking lawmakers to support this important legislation. With your voice, we’ll be one step closer to ensuring that all patients can access life-saving medical imaging technology, regardless of race or socioeconomic background.