HaDEA – Survey on access to cancer care for people with disabilities

Persons with disabilities have the same needs for basic health care as persons without disabilities. However, inequalities in access to healthcare including primary care, lack of adequate health care services, health literacy and economic resources result in additional health risks and lower health outcomes.

One of the objectives of the new EU Strategy for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities 2021-2030 is to further increase equal access and nondiscrimination for persons with disabilities, including sustainable and equal access to health care. To implement the strategy, the 2022 EU4Health Work Programme included an action on guidelines to healthcare for people with disabilities.

In this context, HaDEA commissioned a study on “Guidance to increase access to healthcare for people with disabilities, including information and data on cancer prevention and care” (HADEA/2022/OP/0021).

The study started in August 2023 and will run for a period of 24 months. The overall aim of this contract is the development of guidelines to support EU and EEA/EFTA countries to improve access and overcome barriers in access to healthcare for people with disabilities.

The study will address important dimensions of access to healthcare: population coverage, health services and goods coverage, out of pocket payments. Aspects related to access to cancer screening, diagnosis and care for people with disabilities will be also included in the study.