219573 Assessment of the Regional Cancer Coalitions of Georgia's Interventions and Initiatives

Monday, November 8, 2010

Nannette C. Turner, PhD, MPH , Center for Rural Health and Health Disparities, Mercer University School of Medicine, Macon, GA
Cheryl L. R. Gaddis, MPH, CHES , Center for Rural Health and Health Disparities, Mercer University School of Medicine, Macon, GA
Jerry Daniel, PhD , Community Medicine, Mercer University School of Medicine, Macon, GA
Tara Redmond, DHA, CHES , Health Physical Education and Exercise Science, Columbus State University, Columbus, GA
Cheryl Johnson, MPA , West Central Georgia Cancer Coalition, Columbus, GA, American Samoa
James Repella, PhD , Southeast Georgia Cancer Alliance, Savannah, GA
Greg Dent, BS , Central Georgia Cancer Coalition, Macon, GA
Frank Rumph, MD , East Georgia Cancer Coalition, Athens, GA
Diane M. Fletcher, MA, RN , Southwest Georgia Cancer Coalition, Albany, GA
Gena Agnew , Northwest Georgia Regional Cancer Coalition, Rome, GA
Background: This evaluation study addresses the impact of the coalitions on their respective regions as they seek to close gaps in cancer mortality/ morbidity. Sustainability efforts and targeted initiatives in early detection/ screening, diagnosis/staging, treatment/palliation, and data/metrics are analyzed and discussed. Methods: Investigators tracked coalition activities in six regions of the state using a system designed to monitor efforts and assess intermediate outcomes. Coalitions completed tracking logs in five programmatic areas and also reported core functions including documentation of strategic planning, and funding support. The study sought to answer the following questions: 1. What is the return on investment of state funding at the regional level? 2. What are intermediate outcomes of RCCG activities? Results: The RCCG obtained $1,602,937 from all state sources to produce $2,847,159.97 in local funds, resulting in 36% state funding to 64% local funding ratio.

The RCCG developed and implemented 62 initiatives. Cancer screening initiatives resulted in cancer screenings for 2,761 underserved persons. This number represents a 56% increase in screening from the previous year. As a result of those screening initiatives 19 cancers were discovered.

Conclusion: There continues to be support for coalitions at the local level and there is community-wide change as evidenced, for one example, by the increase in cancer screenings. The RCCG have partnered with various entities to create sustainable coalitions to address cancer care in Georgia. These findings support previous reports that community coalitions can play a vital role in the prevention and cancer control.

Learning Areas:
Administer health education strategies, interventions and programs
Conduct evaluation related to programs, research, and other areas of practice
Systems thinking models (conceptual and theoretical models), applications related to public health

Learning Objectives:
1. Describe the work of the Regional Cancer Coaltiions of Georgia 2. Demonstrate the value of Regional Coalitions as an evidence-based practice that supports cancer control efforts at the local level

Keywords: Cancer, Coalition

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am qualified to present because I am the Principal Investigator for the project. I also serve as the Associate Director for Research for the Center for Rural Health and Health Disparities and the Director for the Master of Public Health Program for Mercer University School of Medicine.
Any relevant financial relationships? Yes

Name of Organization Clinical/Research Area Type of relationship
Council of the Regional Cancer Coalitions of Georgia Evaluation Independent Contractor (contracted research and clinical trials)

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.

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