Module 1: Patient navigation and health disparities
Recent patient navigation: success breeds sustainability
Because of their success in improving preventive screening and treatment, patient navigator programs have been established in health care centers throughout the country and are now supported by the federal government. Most programs are based on the Harlem Hospital model of patient navigation.
The 2005 Patient Navigator, Outreach and Chronic Disease Prevention Act increases access to cancer prevention, screening and treatment and provides funds to create patient navigation services throughout the U.S.
See other national programs that provide ongoing patient navigation support and research.
Other national programs that provide ongoing patient navigation support and research:
- National Cancer Institute provides research of patient navigation and cancer disparities.
- Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services provides cancer prevention and treatment for ethnic and racial minorities.
- American Cancer Society supports patient navigation programs.
- National Institutes of Health (NIH) committed $55 million in 2005 for patient navigator research.
- Avon Foundation funds new patient navigator programs in medical centers throughout the country.
