title: Computational modeling and multilevel cancer control interventions.
abstract: This chapter presents an overview of computational modeling as a tool for multilevel cancer care and intervention research. Model-based analyses have been conducted at various "beneath the skin" or biological scales as well as at various "above the skin" or socioecological levels of cancer care delivery. We review the basic elements of computational modeling and illustrate its applications in four cancer control intervention areas: tobacco use, colorectal cancer screening, cervical cancer screening, and racial disparities in access to breast cancer care. Most of these models have examined cancer processes and outcomes at only one or two levels. We suggest ways these models can be expanded to consider interactions involving three or more levels. Looking forward, a number of methodological, structural, and communication barriers must be overcome to create useful computational models of multilevel cancer interventions and population health.
authors.affiliation: Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Rm 126, 725 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7590, USA. joe_morrissey@unc.edu
authors.forename: Joseph P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Morrissey
authors.forename: Kristen Hassmiller
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Lich
authors.forename: Rebecca Anhang
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Price
authors.forename: Jeanne
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mandelblatt
mesh_terms: D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control; D003144:Communication Barriers; D003198:Computer Simulation; D003266:Continuity of Patient Care / Q000592:standards / Q000639:trends; D019033:Delivery of Health Care, Integrated / Q000592:standards / Q000639:trends; D055088:Early Detection of Cancer; D005260:Female; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D054625:Healthcare Disparities; D006801:Humans; D015233:Models, Statistical; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000628:therapy; D010348:Patient Care Team / Q000592:standards / Q000639:trends; D011787:Quality of Health Care / Q000592:standards / Q000639:trends; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology; D016540:Smoking Cessation; D000074606:Smoking Prevention; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control