Abstract B45: Partnering to reduce cancer health disparities in Guam, Hawaii, and the U.S.-associated Pacific Islands through research, training, and outreach
Authors: Whippy Helen J.D. , Vogel Carl-Wilhelm , Robinett Hali R. 
Published: December 2010

Significance: Americans of Pacific Islander ancestry are a highly underserved minority with a significant burden of cancer health disparities (CHD). Pacific Islanders are also highly underrepresented among cancer researchers and cancer health care professionals. Progress has been slow to increase the pool of minority scientists with interests in CHD research.

Methods: Since 2003, the University of Guam (UOG) and the Cancer Research Center of Hawaii (CRCH) at the University of Hawaii have been engaged in a partnership designed to develop research capacity at UOG and direct interest, expertise and resources to address CHD unique to Hawaii, Guam and the US-associated Pacific Islands. Education and training at the undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate levels for minority students, combined with faculty development at UOG, is expected to grow the number of minority scientists in cancer research. Funding is available to support investigator-initiated research and programs designed to reduce CHD in the region.

Results: Prior to establishing the UOG/CRCH Partnership, there was no cancer related research conducted at UOG. Today, nearly 10% of the UOG faculty participate in the Partnership, and over 20 students have benefitted from the training, education and mentorship provided through the collaboration. Additionally, the Guam Cancer Registry and a Cancer Research Center of Guam have been established on the campus of UOG. At CRCH, an increasing number of faculty are addressing cancer health disparities in the Hawaii/Pacific region. Jointly conducted projects have addressed issues of particular relevance to the populations served by the Partnership, including chronic disease risk factors for adults in Guam, and the associations of betel nut use and health-related conditions/behaviors. An outreach pilot addresses tobacco and youth prevention and cessation. The Partnership has made a positive impact on cancer awareness and public health policy, leading in 2006 to UOG's smoke-free campus and the Territory's comprehensive smoke-free legislation. In 2010, model tobacco tax legislation for the region resulted in the largest single-time tobacco tax increase in the entire US. Guam's tobacco tax revenues now support cancer screening, treatment and support services as well as the Guam Cancer Registry, a full member of the North American Association of Central Cancer Registries. Over 15 peer-reviewed publications have resulted from the Partnership.

Discussion/Conclusions: Reducing cancer health disparities is an important and integral component of our nation's effort to improve the health of all Americans. Funding from National Cancer Institute's (NCI) Center to Reduce Cancer Health Disparities has successfully teamed researchers from NCI-designated cancer centers with faculty members at a minority-serving institutions to address cancer health disparities through research, training/education and outreach.

Citation Information: Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2010;19(10 Suppl):B45.