Helen M Parsons

Helen M Parsons is an Associate Professor in the Division of Health Policy and Management at the University of Minnesota, with affiliations to the Minnesota Population Center and multi-institutional collaborations (NIH, American Cancer Society, Leukemia and Lymphoma Society). Her work focuses on cancer care, survivorship, and health equity.

• Current PI for projects on financial toxicity in blood cancer care
• Co-investigator on aging and healthcare use research

Research interests span insurance design, Medicare/Medicaid policy, social care referrals, and pediatric/oncologic disparities. Recent projects address:

• Equity in cancer care for adolescents and young adults
• Impact of Medicare Advantage on patient outcomes
• Digital platforms for social care integration

Grants include funding from NIH National Cancer Institute, NIH National Institute on Aging, and major cancer foundations. Her datasets cover cancer survivor experiences during the pandemic and physician perspectives on care access.