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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Charlotte Lewellen-Williams, MPH, Arkansas Cancer Research Center Department of Cancer Control, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 4301 W. Markham Street, slot 820, Little Rock, AR 72205, 501 526 6630, lewellencharlottef@uams.edu, Glen Mays, PhD, MPH, Dept. of Health Policy & Management, College of Public Health, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 4301 West Markham, #820, Little Rock, AR 72205, Paul Greene, PhD, College of Public Health, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 4301 W. Markham, slot 820, Little Rock, AR 72205, Rise Jones, PhD, Naomi Morris Center for Assessment and Evaluation, University of Illinois at Chicago, 1747 W. Roosevelt Rd, Chicago, IL 60608, Diane Rucinski, PhD, Naomi Morris Center for Assessment and Evaluation, University of Illinois at Chicago, 1747 W. Roosevelt Rd, Chicago, IL 60608, and Ronda Henry-Tillman, MD, Arkansas Cancer Research Center Cancer Control Department of Surgery, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 4301 W. Markham Street, # 725, Little Rock, AR 72205.

BACKGROUND: Minority and underserved communities experience disproportionately high rates of cancer morbidity and mortality and unique barriers to accessing evidence-based prevention and treatment interventions. To address these issues, the Arkansas Cancer Community Network developed a model for engaging communities and policy decision makers in the development of health policies designed to extend the reach and impact of evidence-based cancer interventions. OBJECTIVES: This study describes the model's development, early experiences with implementation, and plans for evaluation of the model and its impact. METHODS: Established theories of policy development were used to design a model that includes processes for disseminating information and building partnerships, assessing existing policies, and analyzing new policy options and alternatives. Key policy and community audiences were identified as targets for each phase of the model. Measurable objectives were established for proximal, intermediate, and distal outcomes including: (1) increasing knowledge and engagement among key audiences; (2) promoting informed policy action at state and local levels; and (3) achieving policy impact through increased use of evidence-based interventions in underserved communities. An evaluation tracking tool was developed to monitor progress in each of these areas. FINDINGS: The first-year process evaluation provides an early validation of the model's concepts, indicating progress in partnership building and engagement as well as initial successes in policy action. Ongoing evaluation activities will assess future policy actions and impact. CONCLUSIONS: The model supports community-driven and evidence-based strategies for policy development, implementation, and evaluation. Adaptability for other community settings and policy issues appears promising.

Learning Objectives:

• 1. Understand mechanisms for evaluating and assessing the process of health policy development.
• 2. Formulate effective strategies for partnership engagement in policy development at the community, institutional and legislative level
• 3. Demonstrate how evidence linked with advocacy leads to development of effective cancer disparities policy

Keywords: Policy/Policy Development, Health Disparities

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No