Navigating DEI Shifts: Implications for Cancer Patients and Healthcare Equity

January 27, 2025

The landscape of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) is undergoing significant changes as new leadership and policies reshape priorities across industries, including healthcare. Recent federal directives and political climates have created uncertainty about the future of DEI initiatives, particularly their impact on marginalized groups, healthcare providers, and patients. For cancer patients, these changes are not just administrative—they can mean the difference between life and death.

The New DEI Agenda: What’s Changing?

DEI has been a cornerstone for addressing systemic inequities in healthcare. It encompasses categories such as:

Race and Ethnicity: Addressing systemic racism and ensuring representation in healthcare settings.
Religion and Spirituality: Providing care that respects diverse beliefs.
Gender: Supporting equity across all gender identities.
Sexual Orientation: Ensuring inclusive care for LGBTQ+ patients.
Disability: Offering equitable care and accommodations.
Age: Combating ageism in patient care.
Socioeconomic Status: Reducing barriers for low-income families.
Cultural Background: Offering culturally competent care.
Language and Communication: Ensuring non-English speakers have access to care.

However, with recent policies, including the order mandating paid leave for DEI workers and the removal of DEI-related content from federal websites like CMS and NIH (Politico), DEI programs are under threat. These changes could widen healthcare disparities, negatively impacting underserved communities. (Politico Article: “DEI web pages go dark“)

Impact on Healthcare Facilities and Providers

Healthcare facilities and professionals depend on DEI training to provide culturally competent care. Institutions like OhioHealth and Cleveland Clinic have demonstrated that DEI programs improve staffing, patient satisfaction, and outcomes. Removing these programs creates gaps in care delivery and increases moral distress among staff.

Doctors and nurses face increased challenges when DEI training is eliminated. Without it, they may struggle to address patients’ unique needs, especially in diverse communities. For cancer patients, this lack of preparedness can result in delayed diagnoses, mistrust in medical providers, and poorer outcomes.

A study from the Leonard Davis Institute at the University of Pennsylvania also highlights how anti-DEI policies harm both patients and healthcare workers.

For more, visit: https://ldi.upenn.edu/our-work/research-updates/how-a-rising-wave-of-anti-dei-politics-harms-patients-and-health-workers/

Hospitals and Health Agencies Leading the Way

Despite national shifts, some hospitals and health agencies continue to prioritize DEI:

The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center: Emphasizes addressing racism as a social determinant of health (OSU Wexner).
OhioHealth: Recognized for programs like the Physician Diversity Scholars Program (OhioHealth).
University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center: Focuses on culturally relevant care through its CEDI office (UH Cleveland).
Nationwide Children’s Hospital: Awarded for its equity-driven pediatric care (Nationwide Children’s).
Dayton Children’s Hospital: Offers an 18-month DEI curriculum (Dayton Children’s).
Cleveland Clinic: Partnered with University Hospitals to launch the DEI Supplier Accelerator (Cleveland Clinic).

These facilities highlight the potential for healthcare to remain equitable, even amidst political changes.

Adverse Effects on Cancer Patients

For cancer patients, DEI initiatives have historically improved access to genetic testing, clinical trials, and culturally competent care. Rolling back DEI efforts can lead to:

Delayed Diagnoses: Limited access to tools like breast MRIs and genetic testing disproportionately affects underserved communities.
Higher Mortality Rates: Black women are 40% more likely to die from breast cancer than white women, a disparity that could worsen without DEI.
Fewer Clinical Trials: Lack of representation in research limits the development of effective treatments for all populations.

What Can Cancer Patients Do?

If you’re a cancer patient in an environment where DEI efforts feel diminished:

Know Your Rights: The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) protects against discrimination, including in healthcare.

More information is available at: https://www.cancer.org/cancer/financial-insurance-matters/health-insurance-laws/americans-with-disabilities-act.html

Seek Support: Organizations like the American Cancer Society and Cancer Support Community provide advocacy and resources.

Communicate: Speak with your healthcare providers about concerns to ensure your care remains inclusive.

Report Discrimination: Contact regulatory bodies or legal advocates to address unfair treatment.

Resources for Cancer Patients

If you’re a cancer patient in an environment where DEI efforts feel diminished, it’s important to know your rights and access available resources.

Understand the Patient Bill of Rights: The Patient Bill of Rights ensures that all patients are entitled to receive fair and respectful care, participate in decisions about their treatment, and access necessary services without discrimination.

Learn more: https://www.cancer.org/cancer/financial-insurance-matters/managing-health-insurance/patients-bill-of-rights.html

Leverage HIPAA Protections: The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) protects your medical information and ensures privacy.

Details: https://www.cancercare.org/publications/266-patients_bill_of_rights_and_hipaa

Review Your Healthcare Provider’s Patient Rights Policies: Many hospitals have institutional policies that align with state and federal laws but may provide additional protections.

Example: Dana-Farber Cancer Institute’s Patient Rights: https://www.dana-farber.org/patient-family/becoming-our-patient/practical-legal-matters/patient-rights-responsibilities/

Consult Advocacy Organizations: Advocacy groups like the National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship (NCCS) provide resources and support.

NCCS: https://canceradvocacy.org/

Seek Support Locally and Nationally:

American Cancer Society: https://www.fightcancer.org/ | 1-800-227-2345
Cancer Support Community: https://www.cancersupportcommunity.org/ | 1-888-793-9355
National LGBT Cancer Network: https://cancer-network.org/ | 1-212-675-2633
Living Beyond Breast Cancer: https://www.lbbc.org/ | 1-888-753-5222

Moving Forward

As a survivor of Triple Negative Breast Cancer and an advocate for early detection, I’ve seen how equitable access to care saves lives. The dismantling of DEI policies poses a risk not only to marginalized communities but to the healthcare system as a whole. It’s up to all of us—patients, providers, and advocates—to prioritize equity and ensure every patient has access to compassionate and competent care.

Sources:

Politico Article: “DEI web pages go dark”: https://www.politico.com/news/2025/01/22/dei-web-pages-cms-nih-go-dark-00200123
Leonard Davis Institute: “How Anti-DEI Policies Harm Patients and Health Workers”: https://ldi.upenn.edu/our-work/research-updates/how-a-rising-wave-of-anti-dei-politics-harms-patients-and-health-workers/
Relias Blog on DEI in Healthcare: https://www.relias.com/blog/dei-impacts-all-facets-of-your-healthcare-organization
Patient Bill of Rights: https://www.cancer.org/cancer/financial-insurance-matters/managing-health-insurance/patients-bill-of-rights.html
HIPAA Overview: https://www.cancercare.org/publications/266-patients_bill_of_rights_and_hipaa
Dana-Farber Patient Rights: https://www.dana-farber.org/patient-family/becoming-our-patient/practical-legal-matters/patient-rights-responsibilities/

Meet the Author

Shanise Pearce

Shanise Pearce is a leader, advocate, and speaker empowering communities through corporate leadership, DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion), and her journey as a Triple Negative Breast Cancer survivor, which inspired The Advocates Table – an organization to champion early detection and health equity.