Abstract B151: Partnering with community-based organizations to address social needs and improve access to colorectal cancer screening in Los Angeles and Orange County: Findings from key informant interviews
Authors: Telles Victoria M. , Schneider Jennifer L. , Gautom Priyanka X. , Escaron Anne L , Rivelli Jennifer S. , Gomez Crystal , Garcia Joanna , Tadesse Senait R. , Coronado Gloria D. , Arredondo Elva M. 
Published: September 2024

We conducted interviews with key informants from diverse community-based organizations (CBOs) in Southern California to identify the social needs and barriers to colorectal cancer (CRC) screening. CRC is the third most diagnosed cancer in the US, with persistent disparities in screening, particularly among communities facing adverse social determinants of health. Access to screening is often dependent on an individual’s social risks, such as food insecurity, housing instability, transportation issues, and financial hardship. As trusted messengers, CBOs have a unique role in addressing health disparities and integrating care for individuals with unmet social needs. The aims of this study are to identify 1) social-structural barriers contributing to disparities in health care access and outcomes in general and for CRC screening; 2) primary social risks faced by underserved communities; and 3) strategies effective at mitigating social risks and addressing social needs. As part of a larger study, we conducted seven semi-structured interviews with key informants in leadership positions at unique CBOs in Los Angeles and Orange County. These CBOs covered various service areas, including food security, employment support, youth development, and cancer and other health-related education. The Intervention and Research Readiness Engagement and Assessment of Community Health Care (I-RREACH), an assessment tool for guiding implementation of interventions in low-resource settings, was used to guide rapid qualitative analysis. Interviews were recorded and transcribed. Three researchers summarized the transcripts in a template of key domains, transferred summaries to a matrix, and coded for topics relevant to study aims. Themes identified are described below. Lack of political action, legislative support, and competing priorities were the main institutional factors reported as barriers to improving health in the community. Barriers within the economic environment included costs, concerns of debt, and inability to take time off work. Within the physical environment, poor access to healthy food, was reported as a social risk affecting access to care. Lack of infrastructure and inadequately distributed resources were the top factors within the service environment reported. Downstream consequences of these social-structural determinants included risk factors, such as lack of education/knowledge on health topics and resources including CRC. Key social needs reported were accessible and affordable health care, stable employment, housing instability, food insecurity, economics, and mental health support. Results for effective strategies for addressing social needs and increasing awareness of and access to CRC screening will be available by the time of the conference. Findings from this study are critical for understanding the social-structural barriers hindering access to and utilization of CRC screening. Partnership with CBOs is a valuable strategy for integrating social care into cancer and health care delivery to reduce barriers to care and promote health equity.

Citation Format: Victoria M. Telles, Jennifer L. Schneider, Priyanka X. Gautom, Anne L Escaron, Jennifer S. Rivelli, Crystal Gomez, Joanna Garcia, Senait R. Tadesse, Gloria D. Coronado, Elva M. Arredondo. Partnering with community-based organizations to address social needs and improve access to colorectal cancer screening in Los Angeles and Orange County: Findings from key informant interviews [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 17th AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2024 Sep 21-24; Los Angeles, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2024;33(9 Suppl):Abstract nr B151.