Addressing Cancer Disparities Through Community Engagement: Lessons and Best Practices

Abstract

Cancer disparities continue to be a significant public health challenge, disproportionately affecting certain communities in terms of incidence, mortality, and access to quality care. Addressing these disparities requires a multifaceted approach that involves not only healthcare professionals and researchers but also the active participation and collaboration of the affected communities themselves. Community engagement has emerged as a promising strategy to reduce cancer disparities and promote health equity. This review article synthesizes the existing literature and examines the role of community engagement in addressing cancer disparities. It explores various approaches and best practices utilized in community engagement initiatives to empower and involve diverse populations in the fight against cancer. The review discusses key lessons learned from successful programs and identifies challenges faced in implementing such initiatives. The article highlights the importance of cultural competence, trust-building, and meaningful collaboration between stakeholders, including community leaders, healthcare providers, researchers, and policymakers. It emphasizes the significance of tailoring interventions to specific community needs, acknowledging cultural differences, and fostering a two-way exchange of knowledge and resources. Moreover, this review investigates the impact of community engagement on cancer prevention, early detection, treatment adherence, and survivorship outcomes. It sheds light on the role of community-based participatory research and other innovative strategies in generating evidence and facilitating the translation of research findings into real-world interventions. In conclusion, this review underlines the potential of community engagement in addressing cancer disparities and promoting health equity. By involving communities as active partners in cancer control efforts, healthcare systems can design more effective and sustainable interventions. This approach not only contributes to reducing cancer disparities but also fosters a sense of ownership and empowerment within the communities affected, paving the way for a more equitable and inclusive healthcare landscape.

Neighborhood Deprivation and Symptoms, Psychological Distress, and Quality of Life Among Head and Neck Cancer Survivors

“…While ongoing research may enable characterization of how SDOH influence outcomes more fully, pursuing solutions to achieve greater health care equity is equally important. Exploring holistic interventions that include comprehensive, validated screening tools 50 ; integrated social and clinical care 51 ; and community engagement 52 and addressing structural barriers 53 could promote improved health care for cancer survivors and reduce cancer disparities.…”

Demographic Analysis of Cancer Research Priorities and Treatment Correlations

“…It actively engages communities affected by cancer in the creation, execution, and assessment of initiatives and interventions. This approach acknowledges that communities possess expertise regarding their own experiences, requirements, and choices, and it empowers them to take an active role in decision-making processes [33].…”

Empowering Women’s Health: Insights Into HPV Vaccination and the Prevention of Invasive Cervical Cancer

“…Community engagement initiatives involving local leaders and influencers can help build trust and overcome cultural barriers. Developing culturally sensitive educational materials and campaigns that resonate with diverse communities can change perceptions and foster a positive attitude toward vaccination [ 33 , 34 ]. Collaboration with community-based organizations and leveraging existing cultural networks can provide valuable insights and aid in designing interventions that align with the beliefs and values of specific populations [ 1 ].…”

“…Collaboration with community-based organizations and leveraging existing cultural networks can provide valuable insights and aid in designing interventions that align with the beliefs and values of specific populations [ 1 ]. In the case of HPV vaccination in India, community-based organizations such as CAPED have been eager to kickstart outreach programs, waiting for months to receive official communication guidelines from the health ministry [ 34 ]. Authorities have also held workshops on the vaccine for local media, which is crucial due to previous negative coverage of the HPV vaccine [ 14 ].…”