Inclusivity Minute
The Inclusivity Minute email project began in 2018 as a joint effort between the DCEG Fellows Committee and the Office of the Director to cultivate a culture of inclusion in the Division. Monthly Inclusivity Minute email messages are archived below; each addresses relevant topics and provides resources for learning more. Read more About the Inclusivity Minute Email Project.
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Recognizing First-Generation STEM Scholars at NCI and Beyond
The term "first-generation college student" in the U.S. refers to individuals whose parents or guardians did not earn a four-year bachelor's degree. This definition originated in the Higher Education Act of 1965 to establish universal admission criteria for TRIO programs supporting students from disadvantaged backgrounds in their educational pursuits. First-generation scholars navigate a journey distinct from their parents, often encountering challenges beyond academics.
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Global Cancer Stigma
Understanding and addressing cancer stigma is critical to improve the health outcomes of individuals affected by cancer, enhance public health efforts in cancer prevention and control, promote health equity, and ultimately reduce global cancer burden. Article includes recommendations for researchers, resources to learn more, and references to articles.
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Measuring Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, and Sex Characteristics in Survey Research
As part of the White House drive toward providing better care and protection of sexual and gender minority (SGM) populations, health research organizations have been developing best practices and guidance for surveying these populations in affirming and inclusive ways to collect sexual orientation, gender identity, and sex characteristics (SOGI) data. This is an important step forward, as health research and the resulting guidelines have been historically informed by practices that ignored SGM identities or excluded SGM-identified populations altogether.
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Inclusion of People with Disabilities in Research
Despite research showing that approximately one in four American adults identify as having at least one disability (pertaining to hearing, vision, cognition, mobility, self-care, and independent living), individuals with disabilities are seldom included in cancer research, clinical trials, or health policy. The authors discuss reasons for this lack of inclusion and suggest actions to increase inclusion of individuals with disabilities in research.
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Imposter Syndrome: A Universal Struggle
The phrase Imposter Syndrome was coined in the 1970s to describe feelings of self-doubt or inadequacy often experienced by otherwise high-achieving individuals. While imposter syndrome is common and can occur across any age group, gender, profession, or racial demographic, individuals from minoritized groups may be more likely to experience it due to racism, social stigmas, and microaggressions. The author presents a variety of resources to use both when experiencing imposter syndrome oneself, or watching another person experience it.
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Environmental Justice
Environmental justice (EJ) is the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income, with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies. Environmental health disparities exist when communities exposed to environmental hazards and social inequities experience an increased disease burden compared to wealthier, less polluted communities. Environmental racism refers to any policy, practice, or directive that differentially affects or disadvantages (whether intended or unintended) individuals, groups, or communities based on race or color.
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Health Equity for Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Populations
Despite a mandate from OMB, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander individuals continue to be incorrectly lumped together with Asian individuals for data reporting and research in most national reports of cancer incidence, survival, and mortality. This masks underlying disparities in cancer rates for Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders, who generally have higher disease and mortality risks. The authors describe suggested actions to help achieve health equity for Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander individuals, along with additional resources and references.
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From Microaggressions to Triggers
The authors describe microaggressions and how they can trigger feelings of prior traumas in members of marginalized groups. Readers are invited to educate themselves as individuals and communities on how to avoid committing microaggressions and better engage with others in the workplace.
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Cultural Competency in the Workplace
Creating a diverse and inclusive work environment requires being culturally competent. Understanding that everyone has values that may differ—based on where they come from, cultural practices, and life experiences—enhances the work we do.
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Hispanic, Latino/a, Latinx, Latine: Disentangling the identities of Hispanic/Latino Americans
From 2010 to 2020, Hispanic/Latino/a/x/e individuals accounted for 52 percent of the total population growth in the U.S.; studies in this group will be important to understand their unique potential health problems and disparities that may impact these communities. However, many current research studies aggregate Hispanic/Latino/a/x/e people into one group. Disaggregated data are imperative to fully understand the cancer burden and health disparities among these populations and to inform targeted cancer prevention and control efforts.