Equity is not the same as equality. Equality is providing everyone with the same tools and resources. To achieve equity, individuals, and populations with the greatest needs and least resources require different, not equal, efforts and resources to improve their health.
Gladys Arias, MPA is a Principal for Health Equity Policy Analysis and Legislative Support at the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN). In this role, she works to advance public policy that will advance health equity across the cancer care continuum.
Learn how you can fight for health equity, and explore Gladys’ journey to becoming an advocate in her career and personal life!
Prior to ACS CAN, Gladys served as a Policy Advisor for the Mayor’s Office of NYC where she led and supported various citywide programs in partnership with the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (NYC DOHMH), which serves 8 million New Yorkers, as well as the New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation (H+H), the largest public hospital system in the U.S. In this role, Gladys worked to improve health care delivery systems and implement governmental programs and initiatives with a focus on community-based care, health equity and behavioral health. Gladys has also previously worked in global health in Sub-Saharan Africa, coordinated health education programs in NYC schools, and advised healthcare clients across the U.S. Gladys received a Master of Public Administration from New York University as well as a Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts from the University of Pittsburgh.
Resources from her meeting:
JNCI Article entitled "Addressing Social Determinants of Health: Now Is the Time"
This article how food insecurity, housing and transportation impact cancer outcomes.
2018 Barriers to Patient Enrollment in Therapeutic Clinical Trials for Cancer ACS CAN Report
For the recording of the meeting or to learn more, feel free to reach out to us via email!