The Deep South Network for cancer control

Abstract

Given the recent advances in cancer treatment, cancer disparity between whites and African-Americans continues as an unacceptable health problem. AfricanAmericans face a considerable disparity with regard to cancer incidence, survival, and mortality when compared with the majority white population. On the basis of prior research findings, the Deep South Network (DSN) chose to address cancer disparities by using the Community Health Advisor (CHA) model, the KEYWORDS: community health networks, African-Americans, cancer prevention and control, education, awareness, collaboration, community outreach, rural population, urban population, screening. Cancer Health Disparities Among African-AmericansCancer health disparity is a major problem among racial and ethnic minorities in America. African-Americans face a considerable disparity with regard to cancer incidence and mortality. African-American men have a 25% and 43% higher cancer incidence and mortality rate, respectively, for all cancer sites combined, compared with white men.1,2 African-American women have lower incidence rates than do white females for all cancer sites combined, yet they have a 20% higher mortality rate.1,2 For many cancer sites, incidence and mortality rates are consistently higher in African-American women than in white women, except for breast cancer (incidence) and lung cancer (mortality). However, the breast cancer mortality

Considerations for bio-specimen collection among black women residing in the rural Deep South participating in a cancer prevention study

“…In 2000, the Deep South Network for Cancer Control (DSN) funded by NCI was established to reduce or eliminate cancer disparities between whites and blacks (Lisovicz et al 2006;Partridge et al 2005). To accomplish this, an academic-community partnership spanning two states (Alabama and Mississippi) and up to 22 counties has been maintained over the past 13 years.…”

“…To accomplish this, an academic-community partnership spanning two states (Alabama and Mississippi) and up to 22 counties has been maintained over the past 13 years. Guided by Paulo Friere's empowerment theory (Freire 1970(Freire , 1983) and the community development theory (Butterfoss et al 1993), our partnership has implemented a community-based participatory research (CBPR) approach (Lisovicz et al 2006;Partridge et al 2005) to decrease disparities in cancer screening rates Fouad et al 2010;Castle et al 2011) and reduce behavior risk factors for cancer (Baskin et al 2011). Historically, the DSN has been successful in identifying and training "natural helpers" in the community to function as community health advisors that are trained as research partners (CHARPs) with a primary responsibility of conducting outreach and disseminating cancer prevention messages (Lisovicz et al 2006;Partridge et al 2005;).…”

Participatory evaluation of a community–academic partnership to inform capacity-building and sustainability

“…As such, there is a growing interest in application of community-based participatory research (CBPR) approaches to address and reduce cancer health disparities (Braun, Tsark, Santos, Aitaoto, & Chong, 2006; Lisovicz, Johnson, Higginbotham, Downey, Hardy, et al, 2006; Nguyen, McPhee, Bui-Tong, Luong, Ha-Iaconis, et al, 2006; Schoenberg, Howell, & Fields, 2012). At the core of CBPR, defined as an “orientation to research that aims at maximum feasible community participation in all phases of research”, is attention to collaborative community and academic partnerships that work to improve the health of the community (Buchanan, Miller, & Wallerstein, 2007).…”

Acceptability of Delivering and Accessing Health Information Through Text Messaging Among Community Health Advisors

“…To develop this infrastructure, “natural helpers,” who are defined as trusted and caring individuals who offer help to the community and/or its residents, were identified, recruited, and trained to become DSN Community Health Advisors as Research Partners (CHARP) [29]. The DSN program has trained and retained over 500 CHARPs in Alabama and Mississippi to educate and answer questions about breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer as well as address issues related to the health and health care access and resources in their community [30]. These CHARPs serve as a vital link between community members and community health agencies and resources.…”