Breast and cervical cancer screening among women with disabilities: Using a community- engaged student assistant (CESA) to strengthen research in the community

Health disparities in cancer morbidity and mortality are important public health problems. Approximately one in five women in the US experience disabilities. Women with disabilities often lack access to health services: access to primary care and cancer screening services may be very limited, especially among low-income women. In Alaska, the influence of climate, geography and public transportation intensify access problems. Using a community-based approach, the purpose of our project is to learn if low-income women with disabilities have reduced access to and participation in screening services for breast and cervical cancer. Using a mixed methods approach, interviews are being conducted with low-income women living in the community. Recruitment activities include: contacting agencies, providing information about the project to agency staff and clients; and requesting time at community meetings to introduce the project and present Healthy Women Alaska, a health prevention curriculum. To increase recruitment, a CESA from the Center for Community Engagement and Learning (CCEL) has become a member of the research team. The CCEL works to connect academic programs to community needs to use scholarship and action for the benefit of the University, Alaska, its communities and its diverse peoples. The CESA championed contacting agencies, scheduling Healthy Women Alaska sessions and maintaining ongoing contact with direct services professionals. We present our experiences with agency leadership, professional and direct services staff, lessons learned and proposed community-based recruitment strategies.