Addressing Cancer Disparities via Community Network Mobilization and Intersectoral Partnerships: A Social Network Analysis

Abstract

Community mobilization and collaboration among diverse partners are vital components of the effort to reduce and eliminate cancer disparities in the United States. We studied the development and impact of intersectoral connections among the members of the Massachusetts Community Network for Cancer Education, Research, and Training (MassCONECT). As one of the Community Network Program sites funded by the National Cancer Institute, this infrastructure-building initiative utilized principles of Community-based Participatory Research (CBPR) to unite community coalitions, researchers, policymakers, and other important stakeholders to address cancer disparities in three Massachusetts communities: Boston, Lawrence, and Worcester. We conducted a cross-sectional, sociometric network analysis four years after the network was formed. A total of 38 of 55 members participated in the study (69% response rate). Over four years of collaboration, the number of intersectoral connections reported by members (intersectoral out-degree) increased, as did the extent to which such connections were reported reciprocally (intersectoral reciprocity). We assessed relationships between these markers of intersectoral collaboration and three intermediate outcomes in the effort to reduce and eliminate cancer disparities: delivery of community activities, policy engagement, and grants/publications. We found a positive and statistically significant relationship between intersectoral out-degree and community activities and policy engagement (the relationship was borderline significant for grants/publications). We found a positive and statistically significant relationship between intersectoral reciprocity and community activities and grants/publications (the relationship was borderline significant for policy engagement). The study suggests that intersectoral connections may be important drivers of diverse intermediate outcomes in the effort to reduce and eliminate cancer disparities. The findings support investment in infrastructure-building and intersectoral mobilization in addressing disparities and highlight the benefits of using CBPR approaches for such work.

Identifying clinical and support service resources and network practices for cancer patients and survivors in southern Puerto Rico

“…After receiving a diagnosis, cancer patients face complexities and disorganization in the health system. These complexities are similar among rural and urban patients, but the ability to resolve the need depends on the availability of resources [23]. …”

“…Among other finding, CPIC’s collaborative partnership condition CEP was effective in increasing mental health quality of life, physical activity; it also reduced mental health hospitalizations, medication visits to mental health care providers and risk factors for homelessness [22]. Another example of an effective collaborative inter-organizational partnership is the Massachusetts Community Networks to Eliminate Cancer Disparities Through Education, Research, and Training (MassCONECT) [23]. It integrates partners from different community sectors such as community-based coalitions, policy makers, academics, media, community leaders, among others.…”

Modeling the sustainability of community health networks: novel approaches for analyzing collaborative organization partnerships across time

“…Community, Networks, Partnerships, Sustainability, Hierarchical cluster analysis, Growth modeling Establishing and mobilizing collaborative partnerships (i.e., networks) among community health organizations that are brought together to achieve mutual goals is essential to broadening the impact of public health initiatives [1][2][3][4]. In practice, however, sustaining such collaborative networks can be challenging, particularly given competing demands and constraints on the time and resources of the members of the various organizations in the network [5][6][7][8].…”

Effects of Sectoral Diversity on Community Coalition Processes and Outcomes

“…More communication among sectors should also ultimately enable coalitions to have more impact on complex public health issues (Ramanadhan et al, 2012). Here, the logic is similar to that for coalition processes; that is, that more contact between individuals from different sectors should overcome initial unfamiliarity, lack of trust, and hesitancy to exchange information (Johns 2010), thus helping coalitions to create synergy that capitalizes on their diversity strengths.…”