239648 Reducing cancer disparities through innovative partnerships: A collaboration of the South Carolina Cancer Prevention and Control Research Network and Federally Qualified Health Centers

Wednesday, November 2, 2011: 11:10 AM

Daniela B. Friedman, Msc, PhD , Department of Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC
Vicki M. Young, PhD , South Carolina Primary Health Care Association, Columbia, SC
Darcy A. Freedman, PhD , College of Social Work, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC
Swann Arp Adams, PhD , Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics & College of Nursing, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC
Heather M. Brandt, PhD, CHES , Department of Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior, University of South Carolina Arnold School of Public Health, Columbia, SC
Tisha M. Felder, PhD, MSW , South Carolina College of Pharmacy & Cancer Prevention and Control Program, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC
Sudha Xirasagar, MBBS, PhD , Dept of Health Services Policy and Management, University of South Carolina, Arnold School of Public Health, Columbia, SC
John R. Ureda, DrPH , Insights Consulting, Columbia, SC
Thomas G. Hurley, MS , Statewide Cancer Prevention and Control Program, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC
James R. Hebert, ScD , Cancer Prevention and Control Program, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC
BACKGROUND: The South Carolina Cancer Prevention and Control Research Network (SC-CPCRN), one of 10 CDC and NCI-funded CPCRNs, in partnership with the SC Primary Health Care Association (SCPHCA) and Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), is working to accelerate the adoption of evidence-based cancer interventions in community healthcare settings for vulnerable populations by exploring FQHC research needs and best-practice implementation and dissemination strategies.

OBJECTIVE: To develop SC-CPCRN activities that will facilitate future implementation and dissemination of evidence-based cancer prevention and control interventions.

METHODS: Using a community-based participatory research approach, SC-CPCRN investigators and partners explored ways to develop infrastructure to contribute to the national CPCRN agenda and meet cancer prevention and control research needs in SC. Multiple “discovery” and “effectiveness/implementation” studies falling within the research phase of CDC's Knowledge to Action Framework are being conducted.

RESULTS: Three projects underway engage the SCPHCA and FQHCs as primary partners: (1) developing and administering surveys to gauge FQHCs' interest in, readiness to, and capacity for conducting health/cancer-related research; (2) examining the feasibility (using interviews, surveys, windshield tours) of implementing a farmers' market at a healthcare center-based public health setting; and (3) creation of a cancer-focused data-sharing plan between SC-CPCRN and FQHC partners based on common research interests. These projects identified unique challenges and opportunities for conducting cancer research in community clinical settings.

CONCLUSIONS: The SC-CPCRN is committed to eliminating cancer disparities through innovative, evidence-based practices. Investigators will share “lessons learned” and discuss how these projects can contribute to wide-scale intervention dissemination for high-risk populations nationally.

Learning Areas:
Assessment of individual and community needs for health education
Chronic disease management and prevention
Conduct evaluation related to programs, research, and other areas of practice
Diversity and culture
Implementation of health education strategies, interventions and programs
Public health or related research

Learning Objectives:
Describe how to develop effective partnerships with community health centers. Identify the importance of formative community based participatory research in order to successfully implement and disseminate evidence-based cancer prevention and control interventions.

Keywords: Cancer Prevention, Community Health Centers

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I serve as Co-PI on this federally-funded grant and my research focuses on cancer prevention and communication with diverse populations. I am an Assistant Professor in the Dept of Health Promotion, Education and Behavior at the Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

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.