Dr. Diane Mahoney, an assistant professor at the University of Kansas Medical Center, is spearheading efforts to address health disparities in ovarian cancer care. Her recent study, “Elucidating the Influences of Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) on Perceived Overall Health Among African American/Black and Hispanic Ovarian Cancer Survivors,” has shed light on the critical need for a multidisciplinary approach to tackle these disparities.
Mahoney emphasizes the importance of breaking down silos in healthcare, advocating for a unified strategy that involves healthcare professionals, policymakers, researchers, survivors, and the community. “We need to bring in the community, we need to bring in survivors, I think it has to be multidisciplinary, but it needs to be centered around the patient,” she states.
The nurse scientist stresses the significance of prevention and calls for continued exploration of social, biological, and environmental factors affecting health outcomes. Mahoney proposes collaborative research that places women at the center, driving changes for the future. She suggests engaging with community groups and individuals to better understand their perceptions and experiences, acknowledging that there are still unknown factors contributing to health disparities in ovarian cancer survivors.
See “Dr Diane Mahoney on Tackling Ovarian Cancer Care Disparities” (July 25, 2024)
