National Cancer Institute's Community Network Programs to reduce cancer health disparities: A cross-site evaluation progress report

The National Cancer Institute Center to Reduce Cancer Health Disparities (CRCHD) Community Networks Program (CNP) aims to reduce cancer health disparities by: 1) increasing access to and utilization of beneficial cancer interventions in communities affected by disparities, and 2) providing a cadre of well-trained researchers who will continue to reduce disparities in their communities. In 2004, 25 programs were awarded grants to serve underserved populations such as racial/ethnic minorities and low-income rural residents.

CNPs are designed to progress through three phases of development: 1) develop and increase capacity building to support community-based participatory education, research, and training to reduce cancer disparities, 2) create community-based participatory research training programs to reduce health disparities, and 3) establish credibility and sustainability of the Community Networks Program. As of 2008, grantees have demonstrated ongoing capacity-building efforts and many have implemented research studies.

Grantees submit the following types of data to a central database:

• clinical and non-clinical community partnerships and prevention and intervention activities conducted in communities

• community education activities and participation rates

• researcher training activities

• studies conducted to measure effects of CNP on outcomes such as cancer screening participation, smoking cessation, and nutrition and exercise.

The evaluation team will supplement these data with information gathered from CNP annual reports, CRCHD corporate monitors, and site visits conducted by CRCHD and an independent evaluation team to analyze CNP progress, as well as challenges to progress, and effective strategies for developing a successful program.