Cancer Related Health Disparities Training Program

PROJECT ABSTRACT/SUMMARY This is a proposal for the competing continuation of the University of Minnesota T32 Cancer Health Disparities Training Program, funded by NCI since 2011. Disparities in cancer incidence, prevalence, screening, treatment and survivorship are persistent, with persons from socioeconomically under-resourced and disadvantaged populations and racial/ethnic minorities disproportionately burdened. This program meets the essential need to train a diverse cadre of investigators to address cancer health disparities through innovative, multi-level and multi-domain interventions and community-engaged research. The primary goal of our T32 Program is to prepare predoctoral and postdoctoral trainees with the knowledge, skills, and experiences necessary to conduct cancer related intervention research with populations experiencing health disparities. Our 3 Training Aims are to: 1) to increase the number of predoctoral and postdoctoral trainees committed to intervention and translational research addressing cancer disparities by leveraging the strengths of the current training program, including curricular, mentored research, and career development components; 2) each year, prepare three predoctoral and three postdoctoral trainees to reduce cancer related health disparities; and 3) enhance the diversity of the research workforce in cancer related health disparities by committing to recruiting at least 50% of trainees from backgrounds underrepresented in research. We seek to educate researchers who are well prepared to design, implement, and disseminate innovative community-engaged interventions to reduce cancer related disparities. With this renewal, we also will pursue three initiatives that are responsive to trainee feedback and innovations in health equity research. First, our leadership, mentorship, and curriculum have been aligned with scientific approaches to health disparities research focused on multiple levels and domains of influence along the cancer continuum. Second, the role of our Community Mentors has been transformed to facilitate increased opportunities for trainees to acquire skills and experiences in community-engaged research. Finally, we will expand the focus on intervention development to address trainee recommendations for education in intervention implementation. Our training program is designed to prepare investigators skilled in intervention and translational research to reduce cancer health disparities with a focus on community engaged research. We will achieve our goals through an enriching mentored experience, didactic training, and collaborative research training and projects. Overall, our proposal is highly aligned with the NCI priorities for Advancing Public Health in Cancer.