Abstract IA013: Delivering an effective community-driven model to reduce cancer risk at a population level: results from MD Anderson’s Be Well Communities
Authors: Rechis Ruth 
Published: January 2023

Be Well Communities™ is The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center’s place-based strategy for cancer prevention and control, working with communities to promote wellness and reduce modifiable risk factors for cancer. This initiative builds cross-sector partnerships and drives systems change for health by uniting individuals, schools, workplaces, government agencies, health care providers and policymakers to plan and carry out sustainable, community-led solutions that will make positive, long-lasting changes in people’s lives. Be Well Communities is built on 100 years of healthy community initiative best practices, literature, and experience and is aligned with the institution’s strategy and community outreach and engagement efforts. Since 2016, MD Anderson’s Cancer Prevention & Control Platform built a model that creates strong community linkages, advances professional and policy changes, and establishes active health coalitions. Community-driven coalitions ensure that interventions are executed in alignment with the priorities and needs of the community. Key components of effective community-based efforts include creating a shared vision and building trust with the community, creating a diverse network of partners through relationship building and mutual accountability, establishing a governing process with a grassroots component, and leveraging resources, training, and commissioning technical expertise where necessary. Additional components of the model include community assessment, planning, and a multi-year implementation phase – with a vision towards sustainability and evaluation throughout. Foundational to the work is partnership with community-based organizations and clinics who are supported to enhance their capacity to deliver and evaluate evidence-based interventions that are tailored directly to the needs of the community. Together with community partners, this work is positively impacting communities across the Greater Houston Area. More than 50 local, regional and state organizations are actively engaged on Be Well Communities coalitions, guiding the implementation of action plans in partnership with community residents. Since 2017, key milestones include: 7+ million pounds of healthy food distributed 27 sunshades installed at city parks, schools and college campuses 79,000+ students participated in school-based health and physical activity programs 10,000+ college students, staff and faculty have access to tobacco-free education and resources 24 free vaccination clinics hosted 1,900 cancer screenings provided in 12 months Further, for the most mature community in the portfolio, 90% of all interventions were completed or sustained. This collaborative approach, led by the wants and needs of the community, has established an infrastructure that is addressing its short-term goals and promises to improve long-term, cancer-related outcomes in communities. Aligning across sectors with a shared vision, fundamentally changing the way groups work together, is the building block for creating systems change for health.

Citation Format: Ruth Rechis. Delivering an effective community-driven model to reduce cancer risk at a population level: results from MD Anderson’s Be Well Communities. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference: Precision Prevention, Early Detection, and Interception of Cancer; 2022 Nov 17-19; Austin, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Can Prev Res 2023;16(1 Suppl): Abstract nr IA013.