Abstract B44: GMaP/BMaP Region 3: Coming together to eliminate cancer disparities in the South and Puerto Rico

Abstract

Abstract Background: The Transdisciplinary Geographic Management Program (GMaP) and Minority Biospecimen/Biobanking Geographic Management Program (BMaP) for Region 3 is designed to develop a systematic and comprehensive strategy for building a state-of-the-art network for the support and efficient management of cancer health disparities research, training, and outreach in the five Southeastern states and Puerto Rico. The overall goal of the GMaP/BMaP-3 Network is to eliminate racial/ethnic cancer health disparities by identifying factors associated with such disparities, developing culturally-relevant approaches to address these factors, and disseminating evidence-based interventions across the cancer control continuum and across the continuum of the socio-ecological model. Specific to biobanking the ultimate goal of this network is to create unique, centralized, public resources for multi-ethnic biobanking/biospecimens. These goals are being accomplished in three phases: 1) network establishment, 3) needs/assets assessment, and 3) implementation plan. Methods: We first established a working infrastructure for a GMaP/BMaP hub in the southeast United States and Puerto Rico as a collaborative partnership among the following institutions: H. L. Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, University of Alabama at Birmingham Comprehensive Cancer Center, Tulane University, Xavier University of Louisiana, University of Mississippi, Tuskegee University, Morehouse School of Medicine, Emory University - Winship Cancer Center, and Ponce School of Medicine. Although the partners have worked closely together in all aspects of the project, we established specific cores in order to obtain an in-depth examination of specific areas in cancer disparities: clinical trials, advanced/emerging technologies, biomedical informatics, communication/dissemination, and evaluation. Given the importance of biospecimen/biobanking (BMaP), additional cores were established specific to this topic: collection, processing, storage and analysis of biospecimen; community and sociocultural beliefs; ethical, legal, and policy. Once the network was established, we designed a comprehensive needs/assets assessment of current strengths, weaknesses, capabilities, needs and interest in cancer health disparities in our participating institutions, CRCHD programs, and targeted communities with regard to research, training, and infrastructure development. Results: A draft of the Comprehensive Assessment Tool (CAT) specific to our region has being developed through a participatory and methodic process with active involvement of all partnering institutions. Conclusions: The data obtained from the needs assessment will inform the planning, nature, and extent of activities associated with the development of an operational plan to prioritize cancer research and biobanking activities in the Southeast US and PR. Citation Information: Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2010;19(10 Suppl):B44.