Collaborative Work Groups to Reduce Wisconsin’s Breast and Lung Cancer Disparities

Project Description Narrative:

Cancer is the leading cause of death in Wisconsin and is responsible for 1 in 5 deaths each year. Further, cancer incidence, late-stage diagnosis, and mortality are not equally distributed among residents. While Wisconsin continues to advance in health equity, there are disparities in diagnosis in the Native American and African American communities - particularly with breast and lung cancer. Disparities are multi-faceted issues that include individual biological factors, socio-cultural, political environment, and physical factors. To effectively address these complex factors requires a collaborative work group involving diverse investigators from community organizations and educational institutions. Phase one of this two-part project focuses on building work groups for optimal collaboration.

Through this award, a transdisciplinary group will work together to build a deeper understanding of solutions to reduce cancer diagnosis disparities. Collaboration of diverse groups will encourage fresh ideas by learning from each other and collectively creating and developing new approaches for a solution.