Community Research Programs
Our research goals are focused on improving cancer outcomes and eliminating disparities in cancer prevention, treatment and survivorship. Completed and ongoing projects include:
- The “Evaluating Coaches of Older Adults for Cancer Care and Healthy Behaviors (COACH)” study is a community-based project (randomized controlled trial) that evaluates the role of a trained family member or other support person in helping African American older adults seek cancer screening and care. A total of 1106 individuals from Baltimore City and Prince George’s County, Maryland are enrolled in the study. For the study, family members or other support persons are trained to provide participants with resources to encourage and facilitate discussion with their doctors about cancer screening.
- An educational intervention to improve HPV (human papillomavirus) vaccination among preteens and teens targets grandparents, parents and other guardians to provide education, followed by a postcard reminder about the vaccine. Our team is following up with 200 participants to obtain vaccination outcomes for children not previously vaccinated.
- A project that explores knowledge, attitudes and characteristics of multiethnic older adults that affect their willingness to participate in a cancer-related biospecimen repository. Biospecimens are materials from the human body such as blood, urine, and saliva, that can be used to diagnose disease but also are stored in what is known as biobanks and later used for research.