Cancer and Health Systems: The Case of Mexico

Cancer exposes the stark inequities across the care continuum and the hidden costs that deepen suffering for millions of individuals, families, communities, and economies, particularly across the Latin American region. Dr. Felicia Marie Knaul blends data and storytelling to trace how her own breast cancer journey in Mexico revealed this multi-layered burden and catalyzed her work to expand access to cancer care and control. Drawing on decades of research and the work of the Lancet Commission on Cancer and Health Systems, she highlights lessons that illuminate both the profound costs of inaction and the transformative benefits of action. Building on progress—including advances pioneered at UCLA—she presents an economics of hope framework that demonstrates how investing in equitable cancer care can help close the global cancer divide and strengthen health systems in Mexico, Latin America, and worldwide.

Dr. Felicia Marie Knaul
Associate of the Chancellor