Southern community cohort study: establishing a cohort to investigate health disparities.
OBJECTIVE
To demonstrate the methods of recruitment of a low-income, predominantly African-American study population for the Southern Community Cohort Study (SCCS), a prospective epidemiologic investigation of racial disparities in cancer risk.


METHODS
Partnerships with community health centers (CHCs) were formed to reach underserved populations throughout the south. Recruitment of participants (aged 40-79) in CHCs began in March 2002. Participants complete a comprehensive baseline interview and provide a blood or buccal cell sample. Recruitment will expand to the general population of the south to achieve a broad cross-section of socioeconomic status, The final cohort size is expected to be approximately 100,000.


RESULTS
A high level of cooperation and recruitment was achieved in the CHCs. From March 2002 to October 2004, 32,632 participants (80% black, 41% male, 62% with total household income < $15,000, 34% with < 12 years schooling) enrolled. Participants reported a high prevalence of medical conditions (21% diabetic, 44% obese) and adverse health behaviors (45% current smokers).


CONCLUSIONS
Working in CHCs is successful for recruiting a population that has been difficult to reach in previous studies. The SCCS is a unique cohort that will provide a rich resource for evaluating disparities in cancer and other chronic disease risk as it is followed over time.
Signorello
Lisa B
LB
International Epidemiology Institute, Rockville, MD, USA. Lisa@iei.ws
Hargreaves
Margaret K
MK
Steinwandel
Mark D
MD
Zheng
Wei
W
Cai
Qiuyin
Q
Schlundt
David G
DG
Buchowski
Maciej S
MS
Arnold
Carolyne W
CW
McLaughlin
Joseph K
JK
Blot
William J
WJ
D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000523:psychology*; D000368:Aged; D001213:Asian / Q000523:psychology; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000208:ethnology*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003151:Community Health Centers; D005260:Female; D005843:Geography; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000208:ethnology*; D018579:Patient Selection; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D015144:Southeastern United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires