142nd APHA Annual Meeting and Exposition

Annual Meeting Recordings are now available for purchase

304403
Cancer disparities and health equity: Contributing regional factors among the underserved in MA

142nd APHA Annual Meeting and Exposition (November 15 - November 19, 2014): http://www.apha.org/events-and-meetings/annual
Monday, November 17, 2014 : 10:50 AM - 11:10 AM

Joshua Nyambose, PhD, MALD , Bureau of Community Health and Prevention, Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Boston, MA
Gail Merriam, MSW, MPH , Massachusetts Comprehensive Cancer Prevention and Control Program, Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Boston, MA
Terry Greene, M.S. , JSI Center for Environmental Health Studies, JSI Research & Training Institute, Inc., Boston, MA
Jacqueline Nolan, MPH , Health Services, JSI Research & Training Institute, Inc., Boston, MA
Karen Schneider, PhD , John Snow, Inc., Boston, MA
Lewis Holmes, MD, MPH
Gretchen Latowsky, MEd , Center for Environmental Health Studies, JSI Research & Training Institute, Inc., Boston, MA
Jane Hynson, BSPH
Xue Dai
Introduction: The Massachusetts Comprehensive Cancer Prevention and Control Program (MCCPCP), in collaboration with JSI Research & Training Institute (JSI), conducted a regional assessment to address cancer disparities and health equity to advance its state plan goals. Methods: Southeastern MA was identified as a priority due to high incidence, late stage diagnosis, and poorer health outcomes relative to other regions of the state. Factors specific to the region were gathered through secondary data analyses, focus groups with target populations, and key informant interviews and group discussions with local stakeholders including Community Health Workers, health providers, regional public health officials, and community service providers. In addition to cancer disparities, we explored preventable risk factors including tobacco use, second-hand smoke, carcinogens in occupational and environmental settings, and barriers to physical activity and good nutrition. Results: Among key findings were that social determinants of health including poverty, low levels of education, limited English proficiency and literacy, and racial discrimination including fear of deportation were identified as significant barriers to care. Discussion/Conclusion: Despite health care reform in Massachusetts, access to cancer services was found to remain difficult for underserved populations. At the same time, the assessment identified many community and regional organizations actively working to address disparities. Their engagement led to recommendations for strategies and programmatic options to advance and help inform regional prevention activities, ensure appropriate screening, and improve access to culturally competent, high quality health care services. The MCCPCP is using findings in collaborative strategic planning with its Disparities/Health Equity Workgroup.

Learning Areas:

Advocacy for health and health education
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
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs

Learning Objectives:
Formulate a process to identify regional cancer health disparities. Evaluate the social determinants of health that contribute to cancer health disparities.

Keyword(s): Cancer Prevention and Screening, Risk Factors/Assesment

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have been the Project Director for multiple state and federally-funded regional public health initiatives addressing chronic diseases, cancer, and health disparities. I am an epidemiologist whose research focuses on community-based participatory research. I have taught professional APHA learning Institutes on community-driven environmental health initiatives.
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.