157771 Red Notebook: A Community- and Faith-Based, Cancer Education Program Development Tool

Wednesday, November 7, 2007

Dolores B. Scott, MEd , Cancer Prevention and Control Program, Carolina Community Based Health Supports Networks, Columbia, SC
Ruby Fore Drayton, MBA, CSPP, LPN , Cancer Prevention and Control Program, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC
Deloris Williams, Phd , Cancer Prevention and Control Program, Carolina Community Based Health Supports Networks, Columbia, SC
John R. Ureda, DrPH , Insights Consulting, Columbia, SC
Larcennia R. Simpson, MAT , SC Cancer Disparities Community Network, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC
Purpose: The South Carolina Cancer Disparities Community Network (SCCDCN) is a community and faith-based program that addresses cancer disparities among African Americans in South Carolina. As part of these efforts, the need for a tool to provide and support implementation of cancer education programs in the faith community emerged, which is the purpose of this project.

Methods: Using community-based, participatory research (CBPR) methods, the development process included a comprehensive review of existing, evidence-informed cancer education programs, assessment of the needs of the faith-based community partners, and application of the lay health advocacy model (i.e. train-the-trainer approach). This was a highly involved process with a team of members from the SCCDCN, university, faith community, and partnering cancer organizations.

Results: Through a CBPR approach, a step-by-step process for implementing a cancer education program within the faith community was developed along with establishing a foundation in hopes of sustaining program efforts. The Red Notebook (TRN) contains information on selected cancer education programs and cancer facts as well as additional cancer related resources and services. To date, TRN has been a useful tool for introducing and supporting cancer education programs in the faith community.

Discussion: TRN was designed as a tool to assist faith-based communities to develop and implement cancer education programs. As new programs are identified and reviewed, updated information is made available TRN will be modified accordingly. Plans are to formally evaluate the effectiveness of The Red Notebook as a tool to implement cancer education programs in the faith community.

Learning Objectives:
By the end of the presentation, participants will be able to: (1) Identify resources available to assist the African American faith community to implement cancer education programs; (2) Understand the LHAM and how it will assist them to organize, develop and implement a cancer education program for their congregation and community; and (3) Identify a comprehensive review of existing, evidence-informed cancer education programs.

Keywords: Community-Based Public Health, Faith Community

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No
Any institutionally-contracted trials related to this submission?

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

See more of: The Faith Community's Practical Health Education Projects
See more of: Caucus on Public Health and the Faith Community