Purpose Identify the influence of medical mistrust, fears, attitudes, and sociodemographic characteristics on unwillingness to participate in colorectal cancer (CRC) screening. Design Cross-sectional disproportionally allocated, stratified, random-digit dial telephone questionnaire of non-institutionalized households. Setting New York City, NY; Baltimore, MD; San Juan, Puerto Rico. Subjects Ethnically diverse sample of 454 adults ≥ 50 years of age. Measures Health status, cancer screening effectiveness, psychosocial factors (i.e., perceptions of pain, fear, trust), and CRC screening intentions using the Cancer Screening Questionnaire which addresses a range of issues related to willingness of minorities to participate in cancer screening. Analysis Multivariate logistic regression was used to model the probability of reporting unwillingness to participate in CRC screening. Results Fear of embarrassment during screening (OR = 10.72; 95% CI: 2.15–53.39), fear of getting AIDS (OR = 8.75; 95% CI: 2.48–30.86), fear that exam might be painful (OR=3.43; 95% CI: 1.03–11.35), and older age (OR = 1.10; 95% CI: 1.04 – 1.17) were positively associated with unwillingness to participate in CRC screening. Fear of developing cancer (OR = 0.12; 95% CI: 0.03 – 0.57) and medical mistrust (OR =0.19; 95% CI: 0.06 – 0.60) were negatively associated with unwillingness to screen. Conclusions Findings suggest that CRC health initiatives should focus on increasing knowledge; addressing fears, mistrust, normalize CRC screening as a beneficial preventive practice; and increase focus on older adults.

Men have higher cancer mortality rates for all sites combined compared to women. Cancer screening (CS) participation is important for the early detection of cancer. This study explores gender differences in CS beliefs, behaviors, and willingness to participate. The data were collected from a stratified, random-digit dial survey of adults living in New York, Maryland, and Puerto Rico. Chi-square tests and logistic regressions were computed to analyze gender associations among CS beliefs, behaviors, and willingness variables. Men and women believed cancer screenings were effective, though a higher percentage of men had never had a past CS. Men were less willing to participate in a CS at the present time and in a skin cancer exam; however, when given descriptions of screening conditions, men indicated more willingness to participate. These gender differences highlight the need for health professionals to examine their efforts in providing enhanced CS promotion and education among men.

Effective provider-patient relationships are vital for positive patient health outcomes. This analysis assessed sociodemographic differences in fears and mistrust related to the provider-patient relationship, which may contribute to unwillingness to participate in cancer screenings (CSs). The data are from a stratified, random-digit dial telephone questionnaire of non-institutionalized households in New York, Maryland, and Puerto Rico. Statistically significant results indicate that Hispanics, compared with Whites, were nearly two times more likely to report that fear of being a “guinea pig” and lacking trust in medical people would make them unwilling to participate in CSs. Additionally, those with less education were over two times more likely to indicate a fear of being embarrassed during the screening would make them unwilling to participate in CSs. These results highlight areas where health professionals can improve interactions with their patients and be attentive to their fears and/or mistrusts to promote CSs utilization.

Many individuals who have disabilities or complex health conditions do not have adequate access to comprehensive oral health care. An examination of the literature indicates a variety of contributing factors. This study reports on cost of care as a barrier to oral health care. Data from the 2007 Florida Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) were used (n = 33,777). Respondents who reported activity limitation or the use of special equipment were considered to have a disability. Lack of access to dental care due to cost during the past year was assessed. More individuals with a disability reported not seeing a dentist due to cost versus people without disabilities (30% vs. 16%). After adjusting for confounding variables, Floridians with disabilities were 60% more likely to report cost as a barrier to dental care (OR = 1.60, 95% CI 1.32-1.94). Cost of dental care is an access to oral health barrier for Floridians with disabilities. Improving access to dental care for this population will require consideration of financial issues.

Culturally relevant health education/promotion interventions need to be developed and tailored to (1) empower Hispanics regarding their ability to prevent cancer and (2) educate racial/ethnic minorities about their susceptibility and risk perception for cancer.

Background: Educational opportunities for health care professional students to learn collaborative communication and the roles and responsibilities of other disciplines are minimal unless faculty are intentional about facilitating this interdisciplinary learning. Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine how a simulation-enhanced interprofessional education (Sim-IPE) teaching strategy fostered communication and interdisciplinary awareness between students from multiple disciplines. Method: This pretest-posttest design surveyed undergraduate students from 5 disciplines. The Student Perceptions of Interprofessional Clinical Education-Revised tool examined students' perceptions of teamwork and roles after an in-depth, multistate critical care simulation experience. Results: All students' perceptions of teamwork increased after the Sim-IPE. More experience in the health care field is associated with an increased perception of teamwork and roles/responsibilities. Discussion: On the basis of these findings, the critical care Sim-IPE was an effective teaching strategy to increase the perception of roles and responsibilities of 174

It is well documented that cancer is disproportionately distributed in racial/ethnic minority groups and medically underserved communities. In addition, cancer prevention and early detection represent the key defenses to combat cancer. The purpose of this article is to showcase the comprehensive health education and community outreach activities at the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute (Moffitt) designed to promote and increase access to and utilization of prevention and early detection services among underserved populations. One of Moffitt's most important conduits for cancer prevention and early detection among underserved populations is through its community education and outreach initiatives, in particular, the Moffitt Program for Outreach Wellness Education and Resources (M-POWER). M-POWER works to empower underserved populations to make positive health choices and increase screening behaviors through strengthening collaboration and partnerships, providing community-based health education/promotion, and increasing access to care. Effective, empowering, and culturally and linguistically competent health education and community outreach, is key to opening the often impenetrable doors of cancer prevention and early detection to this society's most vulnerable populations.

Breast cancer is less likely to be diagnosed at the earliest stage in Hispanic/Latino (Hispanic) women compared to non-Hispanic White women, even after accounting for differences in age, socioeconomic status, and method of detection. Moffitt Cancer Center created a comprehensive health education program called Yo me cuido (®) (YMC) to address and reduce breast cancer disparities among Spanish- and English-speaking Hispanic women by providing breast cancer and healthy lifestyles awareness and education, and promoting breast cancer screenings, reminders, and referrals for women 40 years and older. The purpose of this paper is to showcase the innovative approaches and methods to cancer prevention and early detection of the YMC program, and to promote it as an effective tool for improving outcomes in community health education, outreach, and engagement activities with Hispanic populations. Key components of the program include educational workshops, mammogram referrals, and a multimedia campaign. The YMC program is unique because of its approaches in reaching the Hispanic population, such as delivering the program with compassionate services to empower participants to live a healthier lifestyle. Additionally, direct follow-up for mammography screenings is provided by program staff. From 2011 to 2013, YMC has educated 2,226 women and 165 men through 93 workshops. About 684 (52 %) women ages 40 and older have had a screening mammogram within their first year of participating in the program. The YMC program is an innovative cancer education and outreach program that has demonstrated a positive impact on the lives of the Hispanic community in the Tampa Bay region.