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Adaptation of a Community Health Advisor Intervention to Increase Colorectal Cancer Screening Among African Americans in the Southern United States
Full text linkCommunity health advisor (CHA) interventions increase colorectal cancer (CRC) screening rates. Focus groups and learner verification were used to adapt National Cancer Institute CRC screening educational materials for delivery by a CHA to African American community health center patients. Such academic-community collaboration improves adoption of evidence-based interventions. This short article describes the adaptation of an evidence-based cancer education intervention for implementation in an African American community
Intersection of COVID-19, Cancer, and Racial Health Disparities
Full text linkIn this article, the authors explore the intersection between the COVID-19 pandemic with cancer and the health disparities experienced by African Americans. Using extant literature and contemporaneous data, they point out how overlooking the intersections of this triad could lead to the exacerbation of existing disparities for cancer patients based on race and ethnicity. They suggest best practices to balance cancer treatment and survivorship with increasing the potential COVID-19 exposures for patients, families, and health care workers. Drawing upon their analysis, the authors offer a list of recommendations and strategies for system level responses that are designed to foster practice and policy for cancer care health care equity and relate to cancer care equity, infection prevention and control, and cancer pain management, that may reduce disparities among African Americans
Highlights from First International Conference on Cancer Health Disparities
No full textThe first International Conference on Cancer Health Disparities (ICCHD) was held on August 13-14, 2021, in Harlingen, TX, USA. This two-day ICCHD-2021 was organized by the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, School of Medicine (UTRGV-SOM). About 200 national and international delegates from 10 countries attended this hybrid meeting in person and through online digital methods. The event delegates were representatives from NIH, CPRIT, and the City of Harlingen, in addition to clinicians, faculty, researchers, scientists, bioinformaticians, geneticists, bioethicists, and others. Abstracts were submitted through an online portal, reviewed, and accepted for inclusion in the program. Under the theme of Cancer Health Disparities, this event featured a number of special talks and showcased the work done by researchers from a broad array of disciplines (academia, community, health care) to identify gaps and/or solutions to multi-faceted heath and health disparity issues impacting minority and underserved populations across the country and worldwide. The conference was comprised of six sessions: Session 1: Introduction to the conference and tackling cancer health disparities; Session 2: Elimination of cancer health disparities; Session 3: Cancer cellular and molecular biology; Session 4: Diversity and Inclusion in cancer research: Session 5: Poster and oral presentations; Session 6: Early Career Investigator talks; and an award ceremony and closing remarks. This conference report summarizes the meeting’s content, discussions, and conclusions
What Do We Want? Increased Hispanic Accrual on Cancer Clinical Trials! When Do We Want It? Now!
Full text linkThe Hispanic population is one of the fastest growing ethnicities in the United States. Cancer is leading cause of death in this demographic group and have up to 50% higher cancer mortality rates compared to the non-Hispanic white population in the United States. Hispanics face numerous cancer health disparities, including poverty, obesity, and access to health care and insurance. In our previous study, we noted a poor Hispanic accrual rate of 3.9% in all phase II and III cancer clinical trials published in the United States in 2012 and argued for better representation. To assess if a change was made seven years later, we reexamined the clinical trials published in the United States in 2019. We found 48 cancer clinical trials meeting our inclusion criteria. Only 23 (48%) reported information regarding minority accrual. Of these, 8 (17% of all) reported Hispanic accrual. Altogether, of the 2559 patients reported in the 8 clinical trials, 104 (4.1%) were of Hispanic ethnicity, which nearly matches the 3.9% that we reported in 2014. In this manuscript, we highlight the disproportionately low rates of Hispanic accrual in cancer clinical trials and propose processes that will increase representation. 
Racial Disparities in the Genetic Landscape of Lung Cancer
Full text linkLung cancer has the highest cancer-related mortality worldwide and in the United States. Reduced tobacco consumption and advancement in therapies have led to a modest decline in lung cancer death rates over the past two decades; the overall survival rate is still disappointing. Moreover, race-associated disparities are also observed, especially in the clinical outcomes. While differences in socioeconomic status and lifestyle could be significant contributing factors, differences in the genetic landscape of lung cancer among different racial groups have also been reported. In this review, we shed light on the genetic heterogeneity of lung cancer and race-associated differences in genetic alterations to build a framework for future studies to understand the biological basis of lung cancer disparities
Racial/Ethnic Disparities in HPV-associated Anogenital Cancers Among Males in the United States: A Population-Based Retrospective Cohort Study
Full text linkLittle is known regarding racial/ethnic differences in human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated anogenital cancer among males. We examined age-adjusted incidence, late-stage diagnosis, survival and mortality of anogenital cancers among males in the United States. This population-based retrospective cohort study included 39,601 males diagnosed with HPV-associated invasive penile and anorectal cancers between 2005-2016 from the North American Association of Central Cancer Registries. We evaluated the association of race/ethnicity with outcomes using multivariable logistic regression, adjusted survival curves, and Cox proportional hazard modeling, adjusting for age, insurance, residential characteristics (metropolitan/non-metropolitan, area poverty, and geographic region), stage, and treatment. We also assessed interaction of race/ethnicity with other covariates in our late-stage and mortality models. Hispanic and Non-Hispanic (NH) Black males had highest age-adjusted incidence of penile and anorectal cancer, respectively. Higher odds of late-stage penile cancer was observed among NH Black (adjusted odds ratios [aOR] 1.22, 95% CI 1.07-1.39) and Hispanic males (aOR 1.17, 95% CI 1.04-1.31). Higher odds of late-stage anorectal cancer was observed among NH Black (aOR 1.25, 95% CI 1.14-1.36) and NH Other males (aOR 1.29, 95% CI 1.01-1.66). Compared to all other groups, NH Black males had the lowest cumulative and mean survival of both cancers and higher cancer-specific mortality (penile adjusted hazards ratios [aHR] 1.23, 95% CI 1.01-1.49; anorectal aHR 1.25, 95% CI 1.10-1.42). Racial/ethnic disparities in HPV-associated anogenital cancers differ depending on site. Interventions to increase HPV vaccination rates, early detection, and treatment of anogenital cancers in males are needed, particularly among men of color
Advancing Health Equity and Biomedical Researcher Diversity: A New AIM-AHEAD Consortium
Full text linkDespite widespread knowledge regarding racial and ethnic health disparities, little has changed over the last decades. A creative, inclusive, and competitive biomedical research workforce is the foundation for turning discovery into health for all. To date, the expertise for advancing data-driven medicine based on artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML) approaches has resided in majority-oriented institutions with little demonstrated experience in engaging minority-serving institutions or communities. Lack of diversity of both data and researchers runs the risk of creating and perpetuating harmful biases in the analytical algorithms, practice, and outcomes, thus fostering continued health disparities and inequities. Thus, the National Institutes of Health recently launched an Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Consortium to Advance Health Equity and Researcher Diversity (AIM-AHEAD) program. This two-year planning, assessment and capacity building program will be led by the AIM-AHEAD Coordinating Center comprised of a consortium of institutions and organizations that have a mission to serve minorities and underrepresented or underserved communities impacted by health disparities. This AIM-AHEAD research and development program seeks to illuminate underlying issues in health systems and research endeavors that need to be addressed to improve health for diverse communities
Breast and Cervical Cancer Disparities in Alabama: Current Scenario, Ongoing Efforts to Reduce the Disparity Gaps, and What More We Could be Doing
Full text linkOver the years, we have made considerable progress in our understanding of the biology of various cancers leading to advancements in cancer management strategies. Consequently, we have witnessed steady improvement in survival rates of cancer patients post-diagnosis, although the progress has been slow for some cancer types. Moreover, the advances in cancer care have not equally benefited all the minority and ethnic populations residing in the United States. The state of Alabama has one of the most diverse demographics in the country and as a result, we witness significant health disparities among our populations. Breast and cervical cancers are two major cancer types that disparately affect the women in our state. Here, we discuss the extent of disparities in the diagnosis and death rates from these cancers in the state of Alabama and potential underlying causes affecting the health outcomes. We also discuss ongoing efforts undertaken to reduce the disparity gaps and provide a perspective for addressing these disparities more effectively.
 
Prostate Cancer in Nigeria: An Overview
No full textProstate cancer is the commonest cancer in men in Nigeria. This editorial explores an overview of prostate cancer in Nigeria
HPV Vaccination Strategies in Immigrant Dense Communities
Full text linkWe aimed to identify practices and barriers affecting HPV vaccination (HPVV) within immigrant dense communities. Interviews were conducted with multisectoral stakeholders including safety-net clinic personnel, parents, and members of the HPVV community advisory council. The results underscored poignant issues relevant to immigrant communities at local and national levels: 1) Immigrant inclusive, public health and health system interventions to increase awareness of health facilities safe zone for immigrant children tied to HPVV campaigns. 2) Clear and strong provider HPVV recommendation approaches that are culturally and linguistically responsive. 3) Provider must be aware of his/her own biases and attend to the cultural beliefs and practices of parents for a more genuine and effective facilitation of vaccination. Providers, in particular, emphasized examining the provider cultural continuance relevant to HPVV clinical encounter and provider-patient relationship, as well as ongoing provider education and communication for increased HPVV among immigrant providers. At the national and local levels, we must ensure health facility safe-zone for immigrant children to obtain low/no cost healthcare including HPVV to attain the Healthy People 2020 goals of 85% HPVV