Sunday, August 14, 2022
8/14/2022
American Samoa is challenged by limited on-island medical services and medical insurance coverage, poverty rates that far exceed the national average and difficulty delivering cancer prevention, screening and care services to residents who live outside of the vicinity of the LBJ Medical Center and the American Samoa Department of Health. Pertinent to the cancer programs, risk factors for cancer (obesity, poor nutrition, physical inactivity, and tobacco use) are prevalent among the populace. The programs aim to decrease cancer burden and health disparities, achieved through the provision of breast and cervical cancer screening and diagnostic services and the implementation of evidence-based interventions, cancer coalitions and cancer plan priorities at state and local levels and monitoring cancer burden through surveillance. By targeting the expansion of services into currently underserved populations and focusing primary prevention activities on youth/young adults, the continuation of the cancer programs will address current shortcomings in these areas. American Samoa recognizes that partnerships with local and regional entities is vital in implementing strategies and activities. Through these partnerships, we move towards achieving outcomes towards a healthy community by addressing the cancer burden in our territory. Outcomes will be achieved by implementing evidence-based strategies, eliminating barriers to screening, supporting cancer plans, evaluating activities to improve on strategies, and data dissemination to better inform partners, policy-makers, the public, and prioritize goals and objectives.
HHS’ Tracking Accountability in Government Grants System (TAGGS) website provides access to detailed descriptions of grants, loans, aggregated direct payments and other types of financial assistance awarded by the HHS Operating Divisions (OPDIVs) and the Office of the Secretary Staff Divisions (STAFFDIVs).
