Grants from the Anthem Foundation to the American Cancer Society's CHANGE Grant program have had a positive impact on underserved communities across the country. Through $1.5 million in grant funding from the Anthem Foundation beginning in 2013, the American Cancer Society partnered with 19 health centers to address the unequal burden of breast cancer, providing education on the importance of early detection and screening in underserved communities.

The fight against cancer requires that we harness the power of partnership. Our strategic partners provide funding that is essential to the ability to provide culturally relevant programs and resources, and our community partners are key in reaching populations who need us most.

Consider the cancer burden among African Americans. Although the overall racial disparity in cancer death rates is decreasing, in 2012, the death rate for all cancers combined was 24 percent higher in black men and 14 percent higher in black women than in white men and women, respectively. Despite similar breast cancer incidence rates, death rates among black women are 42 percent higher than white women. This disparity persists despite similar mammography rates among black and white women.

"No objective has been more difficult to realize in health care than the goal of health equity. We face many barriers and the solutions aren't simple, but we owe it to the most vulnerable among us to do everything we can to achieve this goal," said Dr. Richard Wender, chief cancer control officer for the American Cancer Society. "Solving the problem starts with recognizing and embracing the challenge. We must engage with members of minority groups to create a culture of health within communities. When it comes to health, ZIP code is more important than genetic code. The only way to truly create a culture of health is through sustained, multi-sector community engagement."