title: Creating a cadre of junior investigators to address the challenges of cancer-related health disparities: lessons learned from the community networks program.
abstract: Community-based participatory research (CBPR) initiatives such as the National Cancer Institute's Community Networks Program (CNP) (2005-2010) often emphasize training of junior investigators from underrepresented backgrounds to address health disparities. From July to October 2010, a convenience sample of 80 participants from the 25 CNP national sites completed our 45-item, web-based survey on the training and mentoring of junior investigators. This study assessed the academic productivity and CBPR-related experiences of the CNP junior investigators (n=37). Those from underrepresented backgrounds reported giving more presentations in non-academic settings (nine vs. four in the last 5 years, p=0.01), having more co-authored publications (eight vs. three in the last 5 years, p=0.01), and spending more time on CBPR-related activities than their non-underrepresented counterparts. Regardless of background, junior investigators shared similar levels of satisfaction with their mentors and CBPR experiences. This study provides support for the success of the CNP's training program, especially effort directed at underrepresented investigators.
authors.affiliation: South Carolina Statewide Cancer Prevention and Control Program, University of South Carolina, 915 Greene Street, Suite 200, Columbia, SC, 29208, USA.
authors.forename: Tisha M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Felder
authors.forename: Heather M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Brandt
authors.forename: Cheryl A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Armstead
authors.forename: Philip P
authors.initials: PP
authors.lastname: Cavicchia
authors.forename: Kathryn L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Braun
authors.forename: Swann A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Adams
authors.forename: Daniela B
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Friedman
authors.forename: Sora
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tanjasiri
authors.forename: Susan E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Steck
authors.forename: Emily R
authors.initials: ER
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Virginie G
authors.initials: VG
authors.lastname: Daguisé
authors.forename: James R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Hébert
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D019058:Community Networks / Q000458:organization & administration*; D055812:Community-Based Participatory Research / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005260:Female; D054624:Health Status Disparities; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008611:Mentors; D008875:Middle Aged; D008913:Minority Groups / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000208:ethnology*; D014495:Universities / Q000458:organization & administration*