Care Delivery in Gastrointestinal Malignancies: Disparities, Barriers, and Equity-Focused Solutions

IntroductionGastrointestinal (GI) malignancies account for 26% of global cancer incidence and 35% of cancer-related mortality, with both projected to double by 2050.Advances in screening, diagnostics, and treatment have not reached patients equally.A substantial gap remains between guideline-concordant care and its realworld delivery.It falls disproportionately along racial, socioeconomic, and geographic lines, and is driven largely by unequal access. ObjectiveTo characterize barriers to equitable GI cancer care delivery and identify scalable, evidence-based interventions to address them. FindingsDisparities in GI cancer care are present at every step of the care continuum.Colorectal cancer screening rates remain below 65% among eligible US adults, with the widest gaps among Black, Hispanic, uninsured, and rural populations.Racial disparities in treatment receipt persist after adjustment for insurance status binaytara.org/journal