Abstract A30: Using the principles of community-based participatory research to build an office of health equity within a nationally designated cancer institute

Abstract

Abstract Across the nation academic health centers, including cancer centers are establishing offices or departments focused specifically on health disparities and health equity. This movement is critical to ensure health disparities research and its dissemination, becomes an ongoing theme in the fabric of an institution. Offices or departments of this nature can often be shaped and defined based on initial funder priorities and may miss the opportunity to engage authentically with the community in the initial stages of its development. Limited practical research is available to describe the development, implementation, and initial outcomes of a new Office of Health Equity built within a NCI designated cancer institute. Using CBPR methodology, this project conducted assessments reaching over 121 diverse community members, faith leaders, cancer survivors, and caregivers from Latino, Asian, African American and medically underserved communities. Community partnerships were developed to conduct group sessions designed to describe community attitudes on cancer, clinical trials and research participation. Participants provided recommendations to collaboratively overcome barriers to accessing cancer information and care, clinical trials education and participation, and reduce cancer health disparities. Findings are reported back to the community and a full research platform and strategic plan has been developed and currently implemented with the community, survivors and practitioners. Practical methods of authentic community engagement are utilized to improve outreach and access to cancer services, clinical trials education and minority participation, ensure cancer survivors have a seamless journey throughout the cancer continuum, and to enhance cancer disparities research. Citation Format: Nadine Josann Barrett, Valarie Worthy, Xiomara Boyce-Manon, Rebecca Reyes, Lamisha Banks, Steve Patierno, Claire Chu. Using the principles of community-based participatory research to build an office of health equity within a nationally designated cancer institute. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Sixth AACR Conference: The Science of Cancer Health Disparities; Dec 6–9, 2013; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2014;23(11 Suppl):Abstract nr A30. doi:10.1158/1538-7755.DISP13-A30