Cohen Launches Memphis Health Series With Panel on Racial Disparities in Breast Cancer Outcomes

Preventive care services including breast cancer screenings like mammograms can no longer require co-pays or deductibles thanks to President Obama’s Affordable Care Act

[MEMPHIS, TN] – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) today launched his new “Building a Healthier Memphis” series on wellness in the Ninth District with a panel discussion and educational session focused on the racial gap in breast cancer outcomes in Memphis. The panel at this morning’s event discussed the reasons for the current outcome gap and helped identify how Memphians can take advantage of provisions of the President’s Affordable Care Act that include no co-pay and no deductible mammograms to address the disparity and improve outcomes for themselves, their families, and their communities.

“The racial disparity in breast cancer outcomes is deplorable—and it is as bad as anywhere here in Memphis—but we can do more to address it,” said Congressman Cohen. “I’m encouraged by all of the Memphians who attended today’s panel and education session to learn how they can help improve their own health and the health of their families and communities. Everyone in the Ninth District should know that provisions of the President’s Affordable Care Act enable them to get breast cancer screenings like mammograms with no co-pays or deductibles. Taking advantage of the Affordable Care Act could help save lives in our city and around the country.”

The overflow crowd at this morning’s event heard about several causes behind the difference in outcomes, including a disparity in economic situations and education, poor health and wellness habits, difficulty accessing transportation, and a lack of insurance and local clinics. Participants in the panel included:

• Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09)
• Dr. Lisa Klesges, Ph.D. – Dean, University of Memphis School of Public Health
• Dr. Patricia Matthews-Juarez, Ph.D. – UTHSC Co-director of the Research Center for Health Disparities, Equity and the Exposome
• Dr. Linda Moses-Simmons, M.D. – OB/GYN, Physician and Assistant Professor/OBGYN
• Dr. Barbara Davis – Associate Professor of Management in the Fogelman College of Business at The University of Memphis. Dr. Davis is a breast cancer survivor and a co-founder of STAARS (Surviving, Thriving, African Americans Rallying Support) breast cancer support group.
• Dr. Scott Morris, M.D., M.Div. – Chief Executive Officer of the Church Health Center
• Dr. Lee S. Schwartzberg, M.D., F.A.C.P – Senior Partner and Medical Director at the West Clinic
• Dr. Kenneth Robinson, M.D. – Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Health
• Dr. Stephen B. Edge, M.D. - Director of the Baptist Cancer Center