Multiple Myeloma Health Disparities Explained (https://www.myeloma.org/videos/multiple-myeloma-health-disparities-explained)
Multiple Myeloma Health Disparities Explained
Health disparities in multiple myeloma can affect who develops the disease, how quickly it is diagnosed, and patient outcomes.
In this Myeloma in a Minute video, Dr. Joseph Mikhael explains why people of African descent have twice the risk of developing multiple myeloma and how equal access to treatment can help improve outcomes.
Learn about health disparities in multiple myeloma, the importance of earlier diagnosis and equitable access to therapy, and how Black patients can achieve equal or even better outcomes when given the same access to care. Dr. Mikhael also explains the IMF's M-Power Program, which works to raise awareness, hasten diagnosis, and empower patients and communities to change the course of myeloma.
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Dr. Joseph Mikhael:
Did you know that people of African descent are twice as likely to have multiple myeloma, but when given equal access to therapy may have even better outcomes? Hi, everyone. Dr. Joseph Mikhael here of the International Myeloma Foundation, and I'm going to explain the why and the hope of treating African American patients with multiple myeloma in less than a minute.
We know that patients of African descent like myself have twice the risk of developing multiple myeloma. And historically, sadly, outcomes of patients have been inferior to white patients with multiple myeloma. In fact, a Black man or a Black woman diagnosed with myeloma is expected to live half as long as a same-aged white man or white woman, but that thankfully is changing. As we learn to make the diagnosis more quickly and provide equal access to therapies, we know that African American patients can do just as well, if not better, than their white counterparts.
And that's why at the IMF, we've created the M-Power Program to empower patients and communities to change the course of myeloma, so that we can raise awareness, hasten the diagnosis, and indeed provide the best care possible to all patients with multiple myeloma. For more information about multiple myeloma, or if you have personal questions, please reach out to us at myeloma.org.
Joseph Mikhael, MD, MEd, FRCPC, FACP, FASCO
International Myeloma Foundation Medical Advisor
TGen, City of Hope Cancer Center—Phoenix, AZ, USA
Dr Mikhael is a Professor in the Clinical Genomics and Therapeutics Division at the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen), an affiliate of City of Hope Cancer Center. He is also the Director of Myeloma research at the HonorHealth Research Institute in Scottsdale, Arizona. Dr Mikhael specializes clinically in plasma cell disorders, namely multiple myeloma, amyloidosis, and Waldenstrom’s macroglobulinemia. He is the PI of many clinical trials, primarily in relapsed multiple myeloma, and his other clinical research interests include pharmaco-economics, communication skills, and media relations.
Dr. Mikhael recently served as the Chief Medical Officer of the International Myeloma Foundation (IMF) from 2018 to 2026 – he now serves as Medical Advisor to the IMF to provide guidance and strategic input in areas such as patient education, health disparities, collaboration with partners, international research, and publications.
Dr Mikhael has published over 200 peer-reviewed articles in these fields and lectures internationally on a regular basis. Dr. Mikhael is deeply committed to health disparities in myeloma and is the chair of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council at TGen. Dr. Mikhael is heavily involved in training future researchers and mentors junior faculty worldwide. Dr. Mikhael is an active member of the International Myeloma Working Group (IMWG) and recently led the ASCO guidelines in myeloma. Dr. Mikhael also serves as the Treasurer on the executive of the American Society of Hematology.
Dr. Mikhael did his medical training in Canada, including a fellowship in Multiple Myeloma at the Princess Margaret Hospital in Toronto. He also obtained his master’s degree in education from the University of Toronto. He then worked at the Mayo Clinic Arizona as a Hematologist from 2008-2018.
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