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

Abstract #113882

Electra D. Paskett, PhD, OSU School of Public Health and Comprehensive Cancer Center, 320 West 10th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210, 614-293-7713, paskett-1@medctr.osu.edu, Mary Ellen Wewers, PhD, MPH, School of Nursing, The Ohio State University, 1585 Neil Ave., Columbus, OH 43210, and Mack Ruffin, MD, MPH, Department of Family Medicine, University of Michigan, 1018 Fuller St., Ann Arbor, MI 48109.

Cervical cancer remains a problem for certain regions of the U.S. One of these regions is the Appalachian area, defined by geographic and cultural parameters. Both incidence and mortality rates for cervical cancer in Ohio Appalachia are 2-3 times higher than the rates in the U.S. To understand and try to reduce cervical cancer rates in Ohio Appalachia, The Ohio State University Center for Population Health and Health Disparities (OSU CPHHD) was established. The Center uses Marmot and Wilkinson's Social Determinants of Health theoretical framework to identify and address issues at three levels of assessment and intervention: environmental, behavioral and biologic. The inter-related projects focus on the three causes of cervical cancer – lack of Pap tests, tobacco use and HPV infection. Community-based participatory research (CBPR) techniques are an important part of this Center and have been used to (1) gain an understanding of relevant issues related to exposures, screening and cervical cancer from women; (2) identify clinics to participate; (3) hire field staff; (4) develop project material; and (5) develop recruitment methods. As the project is introduced into the 16 communities, CBPR will guide other aspects of the activities. Using CBPR strategies will help address health disparities in Appalachian Ohio.

Learning Objectives:

By the end of the presentation, the participant will be able to (
• describe why the OSU CPHHD was established; (
• describe ways to include CBPR strategies to address disproportionate cervical cancer incidence and mortality among women in Ohio Appalachia; and (
• identify outcomes of CBPR initiatives.

Keywords: Cervical Cancer, Health Disparities

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.