title: Referrals among cancer services organizations serving underserved cancer patients in an urban area.
abstract: Significant racial, socioeconomic, and geographic disparities exist nationwide in cancer screenings, treatments, and outcomes. Differences in health and social service provision and utilization may contribute to or exacerbate these disparities. We evaluated the composition and structure of a referral network of organizations providing services to underserved cancer patients in an urban area in 2007. We observed a need for increased awareness building among provider organizations, broader geographic coverage among organizations, and increased utilization of tobacco cessation and financial assistance services.
authors.affiliation: Center for Tobacco Policy Research, Washington University, St Louis, MO, USA. jharris@brownschool.wustl.edu
authors.forename: Jenine K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Harris
authors.forename: Julianne
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cyr
authors.forename: Bobbi J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Carothers
authors.forename: Nancy B
authors.initials: NB
authors.lastname: Mueller
authors.forename: Victoria V
authors.initials: VV
authors.lastname: Anwuri
authors.forename: Aimee I
authors.initials: AI
authors.lastname: James
mesh_terms: D003153:Community Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D054625:Healthcare Disparities; D006801:Humans; D008507:Medically Underserved Area; D008923:Missouri; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy*; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data