--New partnership will provide comprehensive support for cervical and breast cancers, uterine fibroids and abnormal uterine bleeding.--
MARLBOROUGH, MASS. March 29, 2022 – Medical technology leader and women’s health champion Hologic (Nasdaq: HOLX) announced today that as part of its Project Health Equality, it has partnered with Promise Fund of Florida to increase access to care for underserved women with cervical and breast cancers, uterine fibroids and abnormal uterine bleeding. The alliance honors a shared belief that strong collaborations can lead to lifesaving gains and lasting change for women who face barriers to quality healthcare.
Through Project Health Equality, Hologic works with forward-thinking partners to reduce healthcare disparities for underserved women nationwide by conducting culturally informed research, providing world-class clinical resources and raising crucial awareness about the importance of preventive care. Hologic has committed more than $20 million to the groundbreaking initiative, which began in 2021.
Cervical and breast cancers, uterine fibroids and abnormal uterine bleeding are focal points for Project Health Equality because healthcare disparities have long caused Black and Hispanic women to suffer disproportionately from these conditions. In the U.S., for example, Black women are twice as likely to die from cervical canceri and 40 percent more likely to die from breast cancerii than white women. Hispanic women are 40 percent more likely to be diagnosed with cervical cancer, and 30 percent more likely to die from the disease, than non-Hispanic white women.iii
“As a practicing OB/GYN, I see many barriers that patients face in getting the care they need and deserve. Whether it’s lack of insurance, lack of childcare or another challenge, these hurdles too often cause patients to fall through the cracks, leading to overdue screenings or missed follow-up appointments for abnormal tests. Together, Hologic and Promise Fund of Florida are committed to changing this fact,” said Dr. Alison Cowan, Medical Director of Hologic’s Diagnostic Solutions Division.
With grants from Hologic’s Project Health Equality, Promise Fund of Florida will bolster outreach to underserved women in Palm Beach County through additional patient navigators who can facilitate translation, transportation and other logistics needed to access healthcare. The alliance will serve patients who come to free medical clinics, community-based clinics and federally qualified healthcare centers (FQHCs) like FoundCare in West Palm Beach, where Promise Fund of Florida helped to establish a women’s health center.
The Project Health Equality partnership announced today builds on an October 2020 donation from Hologic to Promise Fund of Florida – a gift that has enabled FoundCare to perform more than 3,000 3D mammograms, offer individualized guidance to 200 women who had abnormal screening results and provide further support to 60 women as they underwent treatment for breast or cervical cancer.
“Hologic’s expanded collaboration will significantly improve access to care – particularly early detection and treatment – for women of color and women with limited resources, low health literacy and low English proficiency. We believe passionately that all women deserve the best healthcare possible, and together with Hologic, we can make that a reality for many more women,” said Nancy G. Brinker, founder of Promise Fund of Florida and Susan G. Komen, who has worked with Hologic over the years as a global anti-cancer advocate.
Promise Fund of Florida aims to establish women’s health centers at other FQHCs in Palm Beach County, then replicate that innovative model at more FQHCs across Florida and ultimately throughout the United States.
To learn more about Project Health Equality, visit hologic.com/project-health-equality.
About Hologic, Inc.
Hologic, Inc. is a global medical technology innovator primarily focused on improving women’s health and wellbeing through early detection and treatment. Its advancements include creation of the world’s first commercial 3D mammography system to fight breast cancer; leadership in testing for cervical cancer, sexually transmitted infections, respiratory illnesses and the virus that causes COVID-19; and minimally invasive surgical technologies for uterine fibroids and abnormal uterine bleeding. The company also champions women through the Hologic Global Women’s Health Index, which provides a science-backed data roadmap for improving women’s well-being, and Project Health Equality, which elevates awareness, research insights and access to quality care for underserved women.
About Promise Fund of Florida
Promise Fund of Florida, founded in 2018, helps women throughout South Florida overcome financial and cultural barriers to improve health equity – including a reduction in deaths from cervical and breast cancers. The nonprofit organization promotes preventive care by focusing on patient-navigation resources, community awareness, policy changes and innovative partnerships. Together, Promise Fund of Florida and its community partners have supported more than 16,000 women in navigating the complexities of the healthcare system to improve access to early detection screenings, education, diagnostics and treatment.
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I https://www.contemporaryobgyn.net/view/addressing-the-cervical-cancer-screening-disparities-gap
ii https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/65/wr/mm6540a1.htm?
CDC_AA_refVal=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fcancer%2Fdcpc%2Fresearch%2Farticles%2Fbreast_cancer_rates_women.htm
iii https://minorityhealth.hhs.gov/omh/browse.aspx?lvl=4&lvlid=61
Media:
Jane Mazur
Vice President, Corporate Communications
+1 508.263.8764 (direct)
+1 585.355.5978 (mobile)
jane.mazur@hologic.com
Investors:
Ryan Simon
Vice President, Investor Relations
+1 858.410.8514 (direct)
ryan.simon@hologic.com
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