The University of Hawai'i Cancer Center is spearheading efforts to bridge critical gaps in cancer care access across the Hawaiian archipelago through its innovative Hawai'i Cancer Consortium. The initiative brings together four major health systems to provide centralized clinical trials access, addressing longstanding healthcare disparities affecting Pacific Islanders and Asian Americans.
Addressing Geographic and Cultural Barriers
The Consortium faces unique challenges in serving Hawai'i's dispersed population of 1.4 million people across multiple islands. While the Cancer Center is based in Oahu, home to 1 million residents, approximately 400,000 people live on neighboring islands with limited access to advanced cancer care.
"We're currently trying to open trials outside of Oahu," explains Dr. Naoto T. Ueno, MD, PhD, FACP, director at the University of Hawai'i Cancer Center. "While not all trials are therapeutic yet, our future goal is to expand therapeutic access across all islands."
Cultural Sensitivity and Community Engagement
The initiative particularly focuses on addressing disparities affecting Native Hawaiians, who experience higher cancer mortality rates compared to other ethnic groups such as Japanese Americans or Caucasians. The Consortium has developed culturally sensitive approaches to overcome traditional barriers to healthcare engagement.
"Native Hawaiians have their own indigenous culture embedded," Dr. Ueno notes. "We work with community leaders and tribal leaders to emphasize the importance of screening and clinical trial participation. By embedding our work into the community, we help people understand and engage with clinical trials."
Building Sustainable Healthcare Infrastructure
The Consortium aims to expand its coverage from the current two-thirds to over 90% of cancer cases in Hawai'i. A key strategic focus is developing local medical talent through the creation of a medical oncology fellowship program.
"Many physicians today are trained not just to practice but to view clinical trials as part of standard care," Dr. Ueno explains. "We face a chicken-and-egg situation where professionals don't want to practice in places without robust clinical trial infrastructure, while building that infrastructure requires qualified professionals."
The initiative leverages new IT systems to create a more connected healthcare community despite geographical isolation. This technological integration, combined with expanded clinical trial access and professional development programs, aims to create a sustainable ecosystem for advanced cancer care across the Hawaiian islands.
