Day 2 of the Summit on Cancer Health Disparities Showcases AI, Community Outreach, and Global Oncology in Advancing Health Equity

Closing Cancer Care Disparities with Artificial Intelligence

Day 2 of the Summit on Cancer Health Disparities (SCHD25) took on some of the major challenges in cancer care and tools that can be used to close existing disparities. The day began with a keynote from Chung II Wi, MD, the inventor of HOUSES technology, a groundbreaking social determinant of health metric. His presentation shows how HOUSES integrates geospatial and longitudinal socioeconomic status data via a digital platform that predicts clinical outcomes (e.g., HPV‐vaccine uptake), uncovers AI bias by SES, and powers dashboards and heatmaps for precision population health and targeted interventions. Thereafter, Dr. Hoifung Poon discussed how generative AI empowers patient journeys, including analyzing modalities and reasoning across AI models, bridging language gaps, and solving image processing challenges, The panel discussion that followed deliberated on how to implement all the technology innovations happening in medicine, while ensuring it does not widen disparities in cancer care and delivery.

Effective Community Engagement and Outreach Strategies in Cancer Prevention

Discussions of artificial intelligence transition into the topic of community outreach and engagement in session 8, chaired by Dr. Don Dizon. Spirited presentations led by Dr. Memnun Seven, Dr. Andrew Sussman, and Dr. Vida Henderson highlighted the importance of building trust and the necessity for multi-level approaches in cancer prevention. Speakers also explored the balance between leadership and community needs in advisory boards and the use of creative techniques to communicate complex scientific information to lay audiences. The panel discussion that followed addressed the challenges of community engagement, including language barriers and scientific misinformation, and stressed the importance of transparency and proactive communication.

Dr. Seven sharing takeaways from her work on cancer survivorship

Breakout Sessions Spotlight Community Partnerships, Global Trials, and Cancer Care Innovation

After a brief recess, breakout sessions and oral abstract presentations took place concurrently. One session featured case presentations and panel discussions on the importance of community partnerships in improving breast cancer screening among Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) populations. Other sessions introduced innovative strategies to reduce the cost of immunotherapy in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), highlighting a Phase 2 trial piloted in Uganda. Speakers also discussed challenges in conducting these trials, including resource allocation and the need for regional and local implementation to achieve global impact. Oral abstract presentations by a faculty member, nurse, community oncologist, and medical student explored the intersection of cancer care disparities with genomic testing, patient-centered communication, and clinical trial enrollment.

Breakout session D panel discussion on global oncology

Equity, Partnerships, and Global Oncology

Session 10, chaired by Dr. Ana María López, opened with her keynote address on measuring equity-enhancing interventions, followed by a panel discussion with Dr. Bessie Young and Susanna Ray. Building on the theme of collaboration, Dr. Anu Agrawal’s keynote launched Session 11, focused on sustainable partnerships, with Dr. Kingsley Ndoh and Dr. Ashwani Rajput leading a lively panel. Afternoon discussions transitioned to global oncology, highlighting sustainable care models, Binaytara’s international work, and strategies for improving cancer outcomes worldwide.

Binaytara Gala, Auction, and Award Ceremony

The evening concluded with a celebratory gala supporting Binaytara’s mission to reduce cancer health disparities through education, innovation, and global partnerships. A silent auction and an immersive ‘Nepal Hospital Experience’ invited attendees to join Binaytara on its journey to build a world-class, 200-bed comprehensive cancer center in Nepal. Three of our esteemed supporters — Dr. Dan Milner, Dr. Mazyar Shadman, and Judy Delismon — were honored with the Binaytara Humanitarian Award, Distinguished Faculty Award, and Volunteer of the Year Award, respectively.

Anne-Marie Green hosts the 2025 Binaytara Gala

As the cheers died down and the empty halls echoed at the end of Day 2 at SCHD, attendees left with a renewed sense of hope and enthusiasm — more committed than ever to community-driven work and more focused on sharpening their ‘super arrow’ to tackle the challenges and disparities in their respective fields, locally and internationally.