How HBCUs can reduce cancer care disparities | Lucia Santacruz | TEDxBowieStateUniversity [Video]

There are pervasive cancer health disparities in African Americans and communities of color. Students at Minority Serving Institutions such as Historically Black Colleges and Universities are uniquely positioned to raise awareness and empower communities of color to become active players in diminishing these disparities. Our students can bring awareness of the risk factors associated with increased cancer incidence and the importance of regular cancer screenings. Most importantly, they can serve as a bridge connecting communities of color with biomedical researchers working on new cancer treatments. They can help their communities transcend the historical wrongs at the center of the distrust in biomedical research and empower them to be agents of change in the war on cancer.
The audience will realize they need not be scientists or physicians to decrease cancer health disparities and have a vital role in developing effective cancer interventions for all.
Lucia Santacruz, PhD, is a Professor of Biology at the Natural Sciences Department at Bowie State University, where she teaches Cell Biology, Introduction to Cancer Biology, and Biological Sciences. Originally from Colombia, Dr. Santacruz received a PhD in Physiology at UCLA School of Medicine and has an extensive record of accomplishment in biomedical research. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx