Successes of the REACH/SUCCEED Legacy program among community based organizations providing breast and cervical cancer education and screenings in African American communities

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention funded Morehouse School of Medicine as a Center of Excellence for the Elimination of Disparities through the Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health Across the US (REACH US) program. This project known as the Southeastern US Collaborative Center of Excellence for the Elimination of Disparities or SUCCEED offers grants, training and technical assistance to community based organizations (CBO's) that implement prevention, education and screening programs for breast and cervical cancers in African American communities. The purpose of this presentation is to describe preliminary outcomes reflecting value added in capacity building and screening efforts through our community-campus partnerships. The first of two cohorts funded by SUCCEED were four CBOs in the tri-state region of Georgia, North and South Carolina. Partnerships were formed with Fulton County Department of Health and Wellness, Emory University, UNC Chapel Hill, and Medical University of South Carolina to provide on-going technical assistance (TA) in the development, implementation and evaluation of evidence based approaches in breast and cervical cancer prevention. The first cohort completed year one of their two year projects in September 2009. At the time of reporting, approximately 246 persons had been trained in breast and cervical cancer education and awareness. Breast and cervical cancer screening occurred among 748 women, over 200 received case management and 97 were referred for follow-up care. One-on-one educational sessions were conducted at health fairs and workshops, and 181 women received one-on-one education in conjunction with pap smears and mammographies. A variety of community events and faith-based educational workshops were also conducted. Other outcomes included projects being viewed as resources for breast and cervical cancer care and education, increased community credibility and social capital, and general increases in awareness and knowledge of breast and cervical cancer. The SUCCEED Legacy Program represents a network of CBOs and academic partnerships that address breast and cervical cancer health disparities among African American women in the Southeast. TA in Year 2 will focus on program evalution, systems and policy change and preparing organizations for sustainability.