UofL Nursing Researcher Awarded $3.07 Million NIH Grant to Address Financial Burden of Cancer

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A University of Louisville School of Nursing researcher has received a prestigious National Institutes of Health (NIH) R01 award to advance efforts aimed at reducing the financial and legal challenges faced by people affected by cancer. 

Jean Edward, PhD, RN, FAAN, Professor and Associate Dean for Faculty Development and Mentoring at UofL’s School of Nursing, and Deputy Director for Nursing Research at the Brown Cancer Center has been awarded $3,070,873 from the National Cancer Institute, to further her research on oncology financial and legal navigation. The five-year project, in partnership with Triage Cancer, will focus on developing and evaluating strategies that help patients and families address the too often unseen financial consequences of a cancer diagnosis. 

While cancer treatment can present significant physical and emotional challenges, it can also create a substantial financial burden. Medical expenses, lost income, insurance complications, debt, housing concerns and food insecurity can affect patients and families during treatment and long after it ends. 

Edward's research centers on oncology financial and legal navigation, an emerging field that connects patients and caregivers with specialized resources and expertise to help them address financial and legal barriers to care. The new R01 award will support efforts to integrate these services more effectively into cancer care delivery. 

The research has broad implications for cancer survivorship, health services research and implementation science, particularly for individuals and communities that face disproportionate financial and legal barriers to receiving and completing cancer treatment. 

“Dr. Edward’s Grant is just another example of the university’s commitment to interprofessional research that is investigating all aspects of cancer care, beyond treatment and diagnosis, said UofL School of Nursing Dean, Whitney Nash. “We are very excited to have this opportunity to impact patient’s lives as they are navigating the difficult journey of cancer treatment. This exciting partnership between the School of Nursing and the Brown Cancer Center is creating a foundation to expand multidisciplinary collaborations on the health sciences campus.”

Leaders at the UofL Health Brown Cancer Center say the research addresses a critical need for patients navigating the complex realities of a cancer diagnosis.  

“At Brown Cancer Center, our mission is not only to treat cancer, but to reduce the burden of cancer on patients and their families,” said Dr. Jason Chesney, Director and Chief Administrative Officer of UofL Health Brown Cancer Center/Oncology Service Line and Associate Vice President for Health Affairs at UofL. “Dr. Edward's research addresses a critical and often overlooked barrier to achieving that goal. Dr. Edward is an exceptional scientist and leader whose track record of building innovative, collaborative research programs makes her exceptionally well-positioned to advance this important work. We are proud to have her bringing her expertise, vision and commitment to patient-centered cancer care to Brown Cancer Center.” 

R01 grants are among the NIH's most competitive and respected funding mechanisms, supporting projects that have significant potential to advance scientific knowledge and improve health outcomes. 

The award reflects UofL School of Nursing's continued commitment to research that addresses real-world health challenges and improves lives beyond the clinical setting. By examining the social and structural factors that influence cancer care, Edward's work aims to help ensure that more patients and their caregivers can access the resources they need throughout their cancer journey.