Abstract PO-044: Cancer resources and needs assessment of immigrant communities based in New York

Abstract

Abstract Study Purpose: Immigrants and foreign-born individuals, many with low English proficiency and low socio-economic status, make up a high proportion of the population in New York City (NYC). Immigrant populations have distinct demographic, immigration, social and biological histories, and environmental exposures that differentially impact their cancer risk profiles. However, while data on cancer incidence and mortality are widely available in this group, data on cancer-related social and behavioral priorities and resources among immigrant, low-income, low-English proficient communities is sparse. Methods: Our research focus is to engage community stakeholders to identify multilevel determinants surrounding cancer prevention and disparities and assess resources available to adults within NYU Langone's Perlmutter Cancer Center (PCC) catchment area with a focus on racial/ethnic minority and immigrant populations through a health resources and needs assessment survey. With this research focus, we harmonized measures across questionnaires from other NCI-designated Community and Engagement Core (COE) Centers. Further, health priorities and questions in the survey were informed by listening sessions with diverse community partners and feedback from NYU PCC clinicians and basic scientists. We are translating the survey questionnaire into 8 languages commonly used in the geographical area of focus to prioritize data collection among immigrants in NYC: namely, Arabic, Bangla, Chinese, Haitian Creole, Korean, Spanish, Russian, Urdu. Data collection will be conducted through Open REDCap and paper surveys (n=1200). We are simultaneously developing a multilingual REDCap survey tool to be administered in the identified languages. Results: Participant recruitment strategies are tailored to survey hard-to-reach, low-English proficient communities through in-person recruitment, social media outreach, and engaging existing community-and faith-based organization partners. To facilitate wider reach, community health workers (CHWs) with strong community connections, language fluency, deep cultural knowledge, and training in working with immigrant communities have been recruited for data collection. Survey modules will explore common measures asked by NCI-designated Centers on sociodemographic information and knowledge, attitude, and behaviors and also include assessment on contemporary topics related to the impact of COVID-19 on cancer screening and care, including telehealth services. Recruitment and data collection phases are ongoing. Conclusions: This survey will determine community-driven cancer-related priorities and available resources among under-resourced immigrant communities and will contribute to strategic planning and resource allocation for the PCC to meet the needs of this population. Citation Format: Yousra Yusuf, Victoria Foster, Perla Chebli, Sonia Sifuentes, Chau Trinh-Shevrin, Simona Kwon. Cancer resources and needs assessment of immigrant communities based in New York [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Virtual Conference: 14th AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2021 Oct 6-8. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2022;31(1 Suppl):Abstract nr PO-044.