Multilevel Study of Cancer Inequities in Underserved Populations in Washington: Solutions from Public and Private Data and Patient and Provider Perspectives

Status: Current

Cancer is the leading cause of death in Washington, but rates are disproportionately higher for rural, non-White, and underserved communities. In our study, we will obtain data from the WA State Cancer Registry (e.g., cancer diagnosis, treatment, death) and link cases with US Census, American Medical Association (practice location), and other data for geospatial analysis of risk factors (e.g., race, access, area deprivation) for cancer outcomes (e.g., stage at diagnosis, survival length). These data will generate maps of hot (negative) and cold (positive) spots for cancer outcomes. We will work with more than 200 Northwest Health Education Research Outcomes Network’s (NW HERON) primary care practices (70% rural) to identify 10 rural practices in cancer hot and cold spots. At each site, we will interview an administrator, providers, and cancer patients. Interviews will identify barriers to and facilitators of screening for preventable cancers (lung, colorectal, breast, cervical) and positive cancer outcomes. Interviews will help identify barriers to and facilitators of positive cancer outcomes to support future public health programs. Medical student ambassadors will assist in conducting interviews and in disseminating findings to participating practices. This work will be a collaboration with the emerging Community Centered Health Home Initiative at Washington State University, which centers on bringing quality healthcare to rural communities.

IREACH Programs

• Northwest Health Education and Research Outcomes Network

Principal Investigator(s)

• Patrik Johansson, MD, MPH

Heath Research Initiatives

• Rural

Focus Areas

• Cancer
• Health disparities