Using a Cross-Sectoral Partnership to Improve Prevention and Health Equity Among African Americans

African Americans have the highest mortality rate of any racial and ethnic group for all cancers combined, and CRC is not an exception. The main reasons for high CRC incidence and mortality for African Americans are structural barriers to accessing quality healthcare and timely screening, which can be attributed in large part to historical and persistent structural racism in the U.S. This raises a critical question as to whether the current approach of ‘healthcare system-based’ CRCS programs is sufficient to identify and reach those community members who do not have access to regular preventive healthcare services. The research team is using the cross-sectoral partnership with the DMV to attempt to overcome barriers to access to preventive care services for African Americans. 

The research team will work with the DMV and other cross-sectoral partners to distribute FIT kits onsite and by mail. The research team will compare outcomes and the cost effectiveness of the delivery methods using a two-arm, quasi-experimental, post-test only design with nonequivalent groups (onsite vs. mailing group), with 600 participants in each group. Return status of the FIT kits, screening results and follow-up colonoscopy status at three months and six months will be compared between the two groups using multivariate logistic regression controlling for participants’ demographics, healthcare access, and health beliefs/perceptions. To measure incremental costs associated with onsite vs. mailing distribution strategies for additional FIT kits returned, the team will use the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio. The team will also conduct 60 post-intervention interviews with participants to gather information about their experiences and perceptions of the FIT kit. The research team will also systematically examine the group dynamics and contextual factors that contribute to the functioning of the cross-sectoral partnership. Two listening sessions will be conducted to present the intervention results and elicit feedback by leveraging two recurring community meetings that primarily focus on African Americans’ health and well-being.