Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #113583

Will Torrence, PhD¹, Chara Stewart, MPH², Paul G. Greene, PhD³, Deborah O. Erwin, PhD², and Ronda S. Henry-Tillman, MD². (1) Public Health\ Health Education, University of Nebraska at Omaha, School of HPER 207C, 6001 Dodge Street, Omah, NE 68182, 402-554-3236, wtorrence@mail.unomaha.edu, (2) Cancer Control, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Cancer Control Outreach Center, 300 South University Ave, Little Rock, AR 72205, (3) College of Public Health, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 4301 W. Markham, Slot 820, Little Rock, AR 72205

Introduction Based on the Community Coalition Action Theory (CCAT), The UAMS/ACRC Cancer Connection Program emphasizes community led assessment, development, and implementation of cancer strategies that lead to increased community capacity through local Cancer Councils. Literature supports the anecdotal relationship between membership engagement and coalition ownership, yet empirical data evaluating cancer coalition membership engagement and cancer coalition ownership is scarce.

Objective This presentation will highlight a model for examining the association of community empowerment and increased membership engagement with influence and ownership of Cancer Council activities.

Method The assessment of eight local Cancer Councils consisting of approximately 120 members evaluating their perceived membership engagement (10-item construct) and its relationship with Cancer Council ownership will conclude April 2005. The constructs that comprise the latent variable of perceived membership engagement, such as diversity of membership skills, accepted membership roles, and group participation of planning, implementing, and evaluating cancer control activities will be entered into a regression model and evaluated for its effect on Cancer Council ownership.

Implications Our hypothesis posits that community-based organizations with high levels of membership engagements in the areas of planning, implementing and evaluating cancer initiatives and activities exhibit high levels of community influence and ownership of their respective accomplishments. Results from the assessments, including regression models based on the CCAT constructs will be presented.

Conclusions Significant relationships revealed between membership engagement and ownership will serve as a guide in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of new programs developed with the Cancer Councils to improve community-based cancer control.

Learning Objectives: