Recorded presentation

Latecia Matthews, Faith Access to Community Economic Development, 310 E. Third St., 5th Floor, Flint, MI 48502, 810-232-7733, lmatthews_faced@ameritech.net and E. Yvonne Lewis, Faith Access to Community Economic Development (F.A.C.E.D.), 310 E. Third St. ~ 5th Floor, Flint, MI 48502, 810-232-7733, yvonlewis@hotmail.com.

African Americans have the highest death rate from all cancer sites combined of all racial and ethnic groups in the United States. The higher cancer mortality rate for African Americans is partially related to the fact that a larger percentage of their cancers are diagnosed later; at a less treatable stage (American Cancer Society, 2004). To address this problem, innovative health promotion programs along with health education that is culturally sensitive is needed in the efforts to improve the survival rate for African Americans. Improving Cancer Outcomes of African Americans in Michigan (ICOAA), collaboration between Faith Access to Community Economic Development and the Michigan Department of Community Health, is a multifaceted program aimed at mobilizing African Americans in designing appropriate methods to promote a greater understanding of the disparity of cancer illness and death in the African American community. This initiative focuses on five counties that constitute 81.3% of Michigan’s African American population. In each community leaders were identified to form Community Design Teams to assist in developing plans to communicate the following messages: cancer awareness and prevention; early detection methods; and cancer clinical trials. To achieve these goals the communities partnered with schools, faith-based organizations, black sororities and fraternities, and black civic organizations. The Community Design Team’s activities include the development of peer education programs, faith-based leadership training series, town hall meetings, African American Cancer Awareness Lobby Day and community wide cancer awareness events to engage the African American community. A key indicator of ICOAA’s success is its ability to sustain community engagement and presence and to be a proactive community resource.

Learning Objectives:

(
• Identify the major components of ICOAA. (
• Discuss processes for engaging African American communities in cancer awareness activities (
• Describe the impact of ICOAA among African Americans. (4)Discuss the effectiveness and sustainability of ICOAA

Keywords: African American, Cancer

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

Recorded presentation