National CRC Screening Summit | 2025-03 CRC Screening Report Panel Discussion

Video Transcription

Video Summary

The transcript captures a discussion involving health professionals and advocates addressing colorectal cancer screening disparities, particularly in rural and underserved populations across states like Maryland, Georgia, and Delaware. Key points include differing positivity rates due to population variations, such as age and insurance status, with Maryland focusing on uninsured individuals and Georgia including more underinsured patients. Challenges highlighted include patient reluctance to undergo screening due to fear or misinformation, transportation difficulties in rural areas, and complexities in insurance and legislative frameworks affecting program implementation and sustainability. Programs leverage partnerships with federally qualified health centers (FQHCs), medical schools, and state health departments to provide free or low-cost screenings and navigation services. Emphasis is placed on the importance of provider-patient rapport, community engagement, and multi-sector coalition building. Funding sustainability discussions reveal reliance on state budgets, value-based care arrangements, and potential federal rural health transformation funds, with ongoing legislative advocacy and data-driven evidence crucial for continued support. The conversation underscores the critical role of navigation in follow-up care, the need to adapt interventions to local contexts, and success stories of early screenings detecting polyps and saving lives. Overall, the session reflects collaborative efforts to improve colorectal cancer screening access and outcomes amid healthcare system complexities.

Keywords

colorectal cancer screening

rural health disparities

underserved populations

federally qualified health centers

patient navigation

healthcare access barriers

value-based care funding

community engagement