title: Dissemination of a breast and cervical cancer early detection program through a network of community-based organizations.
abstract: ENCORE (plus) , a breast and cervical cancer outreach, education, and screening referral program, was implemented by the YWCA of the United States and funded by Avon's Breast Cancer Awareness Crusade. ENCORE (plus) was designed to address the educational and access needs of low socioeconomic status and minority women who experience substantial barriers to breast and cervical cancer screening. This article describes the dissemination of ENCORE (plus) to 78 YWCAs in 30 states. It illustrates the application of social cognitive theory and diffusion theory to increase program adoption, implementation, and maintenance among community organizations that have not traditionally provided public health related services. The article highlights elements of the program that enhanced its adoption and implementation and describes procedures for accelerating the diffusion of the program across the country.
authors.affiliation: Center for Health Promotion and Prevention Research, University of Texas-Health Science Center at Houston, School of Public Health, 7000 Fannin Street, Houston, TX 77030, USA. Maria.E.Fernandez@uth.tmc.edu
authors.forename: María E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Fernández
authors.forename: Marydale
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: DeBor
authors.forename: Myrna
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Candreia
authors.forename: Belinda
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Flores
mesh_terms: D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000208:ethnology; D003153:Community Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D055088:Early Detection of Cancer / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000458:organization & administration*; D054624:Health Status Disparities; D054625:Healthcare Disparities; D006801:Humans; D007373:Interinstitutional Relations; D008327:Mammography / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000208:ethnology; D014626:Vaginal Smears / Q000706:statistics & numerical data