The National Cancer Institute’s Community Networks Program Initiative to Reduce Cancer Health Disparities: Outcomes and Lessons Learned

Abstract

Background We describe reach, partnerships, products, benefits, and lessons learned of the 25 Community Network Programs (CNPs) that applied community-based participatory research (CBPR) to reduce cancer health disparities. Methods Quantitative and qualitative data were abstracted from CNP final reports. Qualitative data were grouped by theme. Results Together, the 25 CNPs worked with more than 2,000 academic, clinical, community, government, faith-based, and other partners. They completed 211 needs assessments, leveraged funds for 328 research and service projects, trained 719 new investigators, educated almost 55,000 community members, and published 991 articles. Qualitative data illustrated how use of CBPR improved research methods and participation; improved knowledge, interventions, and outcomes; and built community capacity. Lessons learned related to the need for time to nurture partnerships and the need to attend to community demand for sustained improvements in cancer services. Implications Findings demonstrate the value of government-supported, community–academic, CBPR partnerships in cancer prevention and control research.

A Retrospective on the Vision for Progress in Community Health Partnerships: Research, Education, and Action

“…Recommendations for Policy and Practice domain themes include “engaging community members in policy/practice” and “implementing policy/practice based on CBPR findings.” Concurrent with the Original Research domain, the Delphi process placed sustainability among the lowest Policy and Practice themes for future development. Manuscripts within the domain addressed innovation by incorporating community perspectives on research as part of the Academic Health Center mission through Prevention Research Centers, 15 the Community Networks Program Centers of the National Cancer Institute to address health disparities, 16 and the Clinical and Translational Science Awards. 17 In alignment with the Diffusion of Innovations and the participatory focus of the journal, guidelines from one community–university research collaboration emphasized ongoing interaction and communication.…”

Investigating Sociodemographic Disparities in Cancer Risk Using Web-Based Informatics

“…The initiative aims to galvanize research efforts and accelerate advances in cancer prevention, screening, diagnosis, and therapy. Cancer disparities are well documented across racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic groups (Braun et al, 2015;Krieger, 2005;Siegel, Miller, & Jemal, 2014;Ward et al, 2004). Studies suggest that socioeconomic factors such as income level and education are at least as important if not more so than biological factors impacting both cancer incidence and mortality rates (e.g., Danforth, 2013;Jacobs et al, 2012;Khawja et al, 2015).…”

Community-Based Participatory Research Adds Value to the National Cancer Institute’s Research Portfolio

“…28,29 A qualitative analysis of the CNP final reports provides evidence of the potential of CBPR in knowledge and intervention development, improving research methods and, of even more importance to researchers, the buy-in of communities resulting in increased participation and retention. 29 Controlled studies of interventions often use delayed control groups so that no one is denied the opportunity to participate. Methods developed by Arroyo-Johnson and associates 28 focuses on individual projects within these programs.…”