title: Exploring 2-1-1 service requests as potential markers for cancer control needs.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Delivering health information and referrals through 2-1-1 is promising, but these systems need efficient ways of identifying callers at increased risk.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study explores the utility of using 2-1-1 service request data to predict callers' cancer control needs.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using data from a large sample of callers (N=4101) to United Way 2-1-1 Missouri, logistic regression was used to examine the relationship between caller demographics and type of service request, and cancer control needs.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of six types of service requests examined, three were associated with one or more cancer control needs. Two of the service request types were associated also with health insurance status.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Findings suggest routinely collected 2-1-1 service request data may be useful in helping to efficiently identify callers with specific cancer prevention and control needs. However, to apply this approach in 2-1-1 systems across the country, further research and ongoing surveillance is necessary.
authors.affiliation: Health Communication Research Laboratory and George Warren Brown School of Social Work, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, Missouri 63112-1408, USA. kalcaraz@wustl.edu
authors.forename: Kassandra I
authors.initials: KI
authors.lastname: Alcaraz
authors.forename: Lauren D
authors.initials: LD
authors.lastname: Arnold
authors.forename: Katherine S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Eddens
authors.forename: Choi
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lai
authors.forename: Suchitra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rath
authors.forename: Regina
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Greer
authors.forename: Matthew W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Kreuter
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D007255:Information Services / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008923:Missouri; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012307:Risk Factors; D013689:Telephone; D055815:Young Adult