Online Program

326629
Chicago Southside Cancer Disparities Initiative (CSCDI): Increasing Underrepresented Minorities in Cancer Public Health Research


Monday, November 2, 2015

Fornessa Randal, MCRP, Department of Health Studies, Chicago State University, Chicago, IL
Thomas Britt, MD, MPH, Department of Health Studies, Chicago State University, Chicago, IL
William Ebomoyi, PhD, Health Studies Chicago State University, Chicago State University, Chicago Il 60628-1598, IL
Yashika Watkins, PhD, MPH, Department of Health Studies & Health Information Administration, Chicago State University, Chicago, IL
Gina Curry, BSPH, Master of Public Health Program, Chicago State University, Chicago, IL
Karen Kim, MD, MS, Director, UCCCC Office of Community Engagement and Cancer Disparities, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
Keith Naylor, MD, Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
Lisa Hinton, MPH, Office of Community Engagement and Cancer Disparities, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
Helen Lam, PhD, RN, UCCCC Office of Community Engagement and Cancer Disparities, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
The Chicago Southside Cancer Disparities Initiative (CSCDI) joins Chicago State University (CSU) a minority serving institution (MSU) and University of Chicago Comprehensive Cancer Center (UCCCC) in providing a foundation of cancer and public health research education for underrepresented minorities with advance degrees. The partnership targets the cancer disparities health issues disproportionately affecting Chicago Southside residents.

 Despite the implementation of policies and programs to increase educational opportunities for underrepresented minority (URM) students in science, the representation of minorities in STEM research at all points in the academic pipeline is still low. Although, the mathematics and science achievement gap between white, black, and Hispanic students, has narrowed somewhat since 1983 disparities present even more cause for concern when minority students are not as likely as their White counterparts to pursue a science major in college. Thus, this underrepresentation is not for lack of interest or ability in science, but rather a problem of translating URMs’ abilities and interests into persistence career pursuit.

 The CSCDI engages the interests of URM at the graduate through advanced degree levels and strengthens the effectiveness of post graduate and post graduate training. This collaboration has modified MPH curriculum and practicum and has increased the number of URM graduates trained as public health professionals who engage in cancer/public health research and who contribute meaningfully towards eliminating cancer disparities among minority populations.

Learning Areas:

Program planning
Public health or related education
Public health or related research

Learning Objectives:
Describe how the academic and cancer center collaborations increase underrepresented minorities in research. Explain the process for effective development of MPH curriculum in cancer/public health research. Detect the key elements of active community engagement in the development of cancer public health researchers.

Keyword(s): Public Health Curricula & Competencies, Partnerships

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am the Program Director for the Chicago Southside Cancer Disparities initiative.(CSCDI)
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.