OBJECTIVE The objective of the presentation is to discuss how human rights based advocacy approaches can be used to achieve equity in cancer risk factor management and prevention.
METHODS Based on review of available literature, the presentation shall discuss:
1. How differences in age, gender and socioeconomic status affect exposure to cancer risk factors (tobacco, alcohol, physical activity, diet, air pollution) in terms of consumption and adverse health outcomes
2. How differences in age, gender and socioeconomic status affect access to health information/education and preventative/rehabilitative services like tobacco cessation, rehabilitation from alcohol addiction or weight management
3. Analysis of structural barriers to accessing cancer risk factor management/preventive services,
4. Drawing from African case studies, how human rights based advocacy can be used to improve cancer risk factor prevention and management. Examples will be drawn from litigation on the right to health to get legislation enacted to address risk factors, use of patient voices to humanise the issue, use of media to highlight the human rights elements and coalition building between cancer organisations/risk factor organisations and organisations working on human/women/youth/minority rights
RECOMMENDATIONS the presentation shall make some recommendations for actions by cancer control advocates, health workers and policy makers. Useful resources will also be showcased