title: Development of a community-based participatory colorectal cancer screening intervention to address disparities, Arkansas, 2008-2009.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The death rate from colorectal cancer is high and affects poor and medically underserved populations disproportionately. In the United States, health disparities are particularly acute in the Lower Mississippi River Delta region. Because many in the region have limited access to basic health care resources, they are not screened for cancer, even though screening is one of the most effective strategies to prevent colorectal cancer. Community-based participatory research is a promising approach to prevent colorectal cancer in this population.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The Empowering Communities for Life program was implemented in 2 underserved counties in the Arkansas Lower Mississippi River Delta. The program arose from a 9-year partnership between the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and 9 cancer councils across Arkansas.
  
  
  METHODS
  Empowering Communities for Life is a community-based participatory intervention designed to increase colorectal cancer screening in rural, underserved communities through fecal occult blood testing. Community and academic partners collaborated to develop research infrastructure, intervention materials and methods, and the assessment instrument.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Project outcomes were strengthened community-academic partnerships, certification of community partners in conducting human subjects research, development of a randomized controlled design to test the intervention's efficacy, an interactive PowerPoint presentation, an informational pamphlet, the certification of 6 lay health advisors and 22 role models to provide the intervention, and an assessment tool using an audience response system.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Lessons learned in working collaboratively with diverse groups include the importance of meeting face to face and listening.
authors.affiliation: University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Department of Health Behavior and Health Education, Little Rock, AR 72205-7199, USA. khk@uams.edu
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yeary
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Flowers
authors.forename: Gemessia
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ford
authors.forename: Desiree
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Burroughs
authors.forename: Jackie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Burton
authors.forename: Delores
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Woods
authors.forename: Chara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Stewart
authors.forename: Paulette
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Mehta
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Greene
authors.forename: Ronda
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Henry-Tillman
mesh_terms: D001131:Arkansas; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000517:prevention & control; D019058:Community Networks; D003695:Delivery of Health Care; D055088:Early Detection of Cancer / Q000379:methods*; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000191:economics*; D006801:Humans; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors