National Cancer Institute Community Network Programs' Innovative Approaches to Reducing Cancer Health Disparities

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.

In the first quarter of 2008, CRCHD identified three grantees for in-depth focus. These grantees reported Phase 1 success, Phase 2 progress, and innovative services for underserved target populations. As part of an ongoing independent evaluation, site visits will be conducted to observe program operations and to interview key staff members regarding:

• how they formed community partnerships

• the nature of community partnerships

• disparity-reduction activity planning and implementation

• community response to program activities

• studies to assess program outcomes and impacts

The presentation will discuss individual program results as well as cross-site comparisons to highlight innovative efforts to reduce cancer disparities, the process of implementing them, and how CNP staff perceive that communities have responded to these activities.