Core Research Project
Background
Colorectal cancer is one of the most commonly occurring cancers in the U.S. Screening rates are especially low among individuals who are 50-64 years old and those with low socioeconomic status, lower incomes, little or no health care coverage, and fewer years of education, characteristics strongly associated with Appalachian Kentucky. The health care system in Appalachia has severe shortages of providers, underfinanced services, and systems in transition. In addition, poverty, disability, underemployment, and unemployment hinder the ability of Appalachian residents to receive preventive services.
Goal
The goal of the UK PRC core research is to engage communities in Appalachian Kentucky in efforts to enhance health and reduce the burden from colorectal cancer by identifying opportunities for research, developing, implementing and evaluating interventions, and translating effective interventions into community practice. Specific objectives include working with community partners to: 1) Develop, implement and evaluate community and provider interventions to increase participation in screening for colorectal cancer; 2) Develop, implement and evaluate community interventions to reduce risk factors for colorectal cancer and barriers to screening; and 3) Actively promote dissemination of research findings and translation of effective interventions into community practice.
Study Area
UK PRC focuses its attention on a 16-county area surrounding Hazard, Kentucky. This area was identified with the UK PRC’s Community Advisory Board and includes the Kentucky River and Cumberland Valley Area Development Districts.
Methods
The UK PRC collaborates with its community advisory board to develop community-based interventions The UK PRC also collaborates with primary care providers, using academic detailing -- a method of personalized education in which physicians and their staff receive information in their offices about alternate strategies to increase colorectal cancer screening.
Selected Core Research Products
Community
- Colorectal Cancer Educational Campaign 2006 Evaluation Report
- Colorectal Cancer Educational Campaign 2007 Evaluation Report
- Poster Presentation, Community-Campus Partnerships for Health 10th Anniversary Conference, April 11-14, 2007, Toronto, ON.
- Poster Presentations - CDC Cancer Conference 2007, August 13-16, 2007, Atlanta, GA. Document 1, Document 2
Primary Care Providers
