Philadelphia-based Independence Blue Cross is partnering with the national nonprofit Colorectal Cancer Alliance for a new screening and prevention program to close the gap in screening rates and deaths among Black Philadelphians since the start of the pandemic.
The three-year pilot program, called Cycles of Impact, aims to screen at least 2,400 Philadelphia residents and prevent at least 60 cancer diagnoses, according to an April 28 Independence Blue Cross news release.
Independence Blue Cross is investing $2.5 million in the initiative, which will evaluate the most effective real-world messages and messengers to inspire Black Philadelphians to get screened for colorectal cancer, according to the news release.
The success of this program will be assessed as part of the Accelerate Health Equity collaboration launched in March by a coalition of Philadelphia-area health systems, public entities and payers.