The Department of Health and Human Services' service Panel on Interactive Communications and Health has concluded that few other health-related interventions have the potential of interactive health communications to simultaneously improve health outcomes, decrease health care costs, and enhance consumer satisfaction." As such, NCI has established Cancer Communications as an Extraordinary Opportunity area beginning in fiscal year 2001. As part of this effort a new research branch, the Health Communication and Informatics Research Branch (HCIRB) has been established at NCI with Dr. Gary Kreps as the founding branch Chief.
This APHA presentation will review current research demonstrating the powerful influences of communication interventions on important cancer outcomes. The research articles reviewed are examined in six categories based on the communications strategy used and behavior targeted: 1) strategic communications on adoption of prevention behaviors in diverse populations; 2) strategic communications on promotion of cancer detection and screening behaviors; 3) tailored communications on promotion of cancer prevention and control; 4) tailored communications on promotion of screening and detection behaviors; 5) interpersonal communications on provision of social support to cancer patients; and 6) social-marketing and diffusion-based communications encouraging at-risk populations to adopt prevention behaviors. In addition, the role of the NCI's Cancer Information Service in providing consumers with relevant cancer information and as an underutilized venue for cancer communications research is also explored. This review establishes a rationale for the extraordinary opportunity in cancer communication research initiatives established by the NCI.
Learning Objectives: Specifically, attendees at this presentation will: 1. Learn about current research examining the influences of communication interventions on important cancer prevention and control outcomes. 2. Learn about the rationale for the NCI's extraordinary opportunity in cancer communication research. 3. Understand why Cancer Communication has been established as an NCI Extraordinary Opportunity area. 4. Learn about the new Health Information National Triennial Survey (HINTS). 5. Learn about grant opportunities related to the new Centers of Excellence in Cancer Communications Research (CECCRs). This session will review the relevant research literature to acquaint APHA members with scientific rationale for the new NCI extraordinary opportunities initiatives in health communication. Members will be encouraged to pursue these exceptional opportunities
Keywords: Cancer, Communication
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: National Cancer Institute
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: I am an employee of this organization.