An Integrative Approach to Identify Biological and Socioeconomic Contributors to Cancer Incidence and Mortality: The Advancing a Healthier Wisconsin Endowment's Cross‐Cutting Component

Abstract

BackgroundDespite advances in breast and lung cancer research, racial and geographic disparities in incidence, late‐stage diagnosis, and mortality persist in Wisconsin. Root causes for cancer‐related health disparities are complex and multifactorial, and require bold, innovative approaches to have a significant impact. The Advancing a Healthier Wisconsin Endowment's Cross‐Cutting Component is dedicated to reducing these breast and lung cancer disparities in Wisconsin by integrating the strengths of research, education, and community and investing up to $20M over a period of 8 years.MethodsThis initiative began with the formation of an interdisciplinary “cells to society” design team comprised of basic scientists, population health experts, clinicians, and community leaders. The team was charged with developing broad approaches to engage scientists and community and achieve the following goals: (1) gain a more contextualized understanding of the molecular, genetic, environmental, cultural, and behavioral factors that contribute to cancer disparities, as well as barriers and facilitators to these discoveries; and (2) facilitate the bringing together of “cross‐cutting teams” to adopt, adapt and/or create innovative strategies to address cancer disparities statewide. To inform the creation of these teams, a series of “listening sessions” with basic and clinical biomedical health professionals, educators, and community members, were created to gather input on needs and opportunities to reduce disparities.ResultsThis presentation will review the Cross‐Cutting Component and present results from Goal 1 activities. We have completed: (1) a comprehensive curation of literature detailing strategies to reduce cancer disparities, (2) root cause analyses on breast and lung cancer from a team of multi‐disciplinary experts, (3) maps detailing differences in breast and lung cancer disparities across the state and (4) analyzed themes from discussion sessions held with key stakeholders with perspectives and expertise ranging from T0 – T5 research, education, and the community.ConclusionResults highlight common and unique themes among these diverse groups, that will be used to inform the “cross‐cutting teams” that will (1) encourage participants to think beyond their expertise (2) create, adapt or adopt strategies for addressing complex health problems, and (3) develop, test and evaluate initiatives to address breast and/or lung cancer disparities in incidence, late‐stage diagnosis, and mortality.Support or Funding InformationThis work is supported by the Advancing a Healthier Wisconsin Endowment.