Lymphoma foundation launches educational initiative targeting multicultural populations

06-15-2006

The Lymphoma Research Foundation announced the launch of a new educational initiative called LAMP (Lymphoma Awareness for Multicultural Populations), to provide underserved populations with education about lymphoma, the most common blood cancer and third most common cancer in children.

A new, multilingual, interactive website and toll-free number (1-800-500-9976) featuring lymphoma information in Spanish and Chinese provides critical information for patients, families and healthcare providers dealing with this disease. Through this program, the Lymphoma Research Foundation hopes to increase awareness, educational activities and access to materials and services in low literacy non-English- speaking, diverse immigrant populations.

Access to healthcare information for patients who do not speak English is an increasing challenge in today's healthcare setting and can negatively impact patient response to treatment. The Association of Asian Pacific Community Health Organizations reported that Asians are least likely to report having a personal doctor and be satisfied with the care they receive, compared to other racial and ethnic groups in the U.S.

Similar language and cultural barriers have been reported among the Hispanic community. According to the National Alliance for Hispanic Health, whose mission is to improve the health and well-being of Hispanics, Hispanics are less likely than the majority population to receive or use needed medications, and research suggests they receive fewer state-of-the-art medications.

Lymphoma affects nearly 500,000 in the U.S. There are more than 30 subtypes of lymphoma, consisting of five types of Hodgkin lymphoma (also known as Hodgkin disease) and over 25 types of non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

The Lymphoma Research Foundation is the nation's largest lymphoma-focused voluntary health organization devoted exclusively to funding lymphoma research and providing patients and healthcare professionals with critical information on the disease. To date, the Lymphoma Research Foundation has funded more than $24 million in lymphoma research. Over 85 cents of every dollar raised goes to research and education programming.

This article was prepared by Clinical Oncology Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2006, Clinical Oncology Week via NewsRx.com.