Redes En Acción Model for Community-Based Research, Training and Awareness Strategies National Hispanic Medical Association Congressional Briefing May 19, 2004 Amelie G. Ramírez, DrPH, Principal Investigator Baylor College of Medicine – San Antonio Cancer Institute Co-Principal Investigators José R. Martí, MDMartha A. Medrano, MD, MPH Columbia University U. of TX Health Science Ctr., S.A. Edward J. Trapido, ScDEliseo J. Pérez-Stable, MD NCIU. of California, San Francisco Frank J. Penedo, PhDGregory A. Talavera, MD, MPH U. of MiamiSan Diego State U. Aida L. Giachello, PhDElena Ríos, MD U. of Illinois, Chicago National Hispanic Medical Assoc. Roland Garcia, PhD, NCI Program Officer Supported by NCI Grant No. UO 1 CA

Latino Health Disparities Challenge Research Lack of emphasis on Latino health research in general Lack of recognition among researchers of cultural and other differences within the Latino population

Latino Health Disparities Challenge Training Lack of emphasis on science and health education  Dearth of Latino health/science leaders  Fewer health/science professionals in community and academia  Fewer Latinos in health/science fields in general  Consequently, few mentors to help bring young researchers along through pipeline

Latino Health Disparities Challenge Awareness Lack of awareness among Latinos about cancer and other chronic diseases Risk promoting lifestyles, attitudes and behaviors for cancer and other diseases Personal behavior changes needed to reduce risks

Results of Inequities Latino population behind other groups in cancer and other disease research, training and public education Before gap can be bridged, foundation must be laid Research needed in Latino (and sub-group) health issues – and in cultural and other influences Interest in health/science fields must be cultivated early in educational process Public education efforts for health issues needed on fundamental level to raise level of knowledge

Historic Approach to the Challenge Issues largely ignored by mainstream Few significant attempts to address health/science issues in any Latino-specific way Lack of cohesive policy to address Latino issues No recognition of value of bringing diverse health/science, other elements of society together to address issues significant to Latinos

SPN and Redes Approach Create a national network of community-based organizations, research institutions, government health agencies and the public to promote cancer research, training and awareness among Latinos

Pilot projects Collaborative studies Physician / key stakeholder surveys Other research opportunities Elements of the Model Increase / enhance RESEARCH through:

Training programs aimed at undergrads, pre/post-doctoral individuals, junior faculty Mentorship Extramural training Elements of the Model Increase / enhance TRAINING through:

Internet Print journalism Mass media Events and presentations Educational publications Elements of the Model Increase / enhance PUBLIC EDUCATION through:

Success of the Redes Model

Redes En Acción Regions

Redes Pilot Projects Year (Date of Submission) Proposals Reviewed by Redes En Acción Proposals Forwarded to NCI Proposals Funded by NCI Y1 (4/01)551 Y2 (12/01)1122 Y2 (4/02)632 Y3 (10/02)654 Y3 (04/03)94 2 Y4 (10/03)17105 TOTALS Note: 55% of pilot proposals submitted to NCI funded.

Redes Pilot Projects Ana Natále-Pereira, MD, New Jersey Medical School, Title: Improving Colon Cancer Among Hispanics/Latinos Martin Perez, PhD, City of Hope National Medical Ctr. Title: Coping & Quality of Life in Latino Cancer Patients Ana Maria Lopez, MD, University of Arizona Title: The Feasibility of Telecolposcopy in a Gynecology Clinic Monica Yépes-Rios, MD, San Diego State U. Title: Colorectal Cancer Screening: Identifying Barriers to Screening in the Latino Population

Research  29 pilot projects submitted to NCI, 16 funded = $900K  Surveyed >600 key opinion leaders  Surveyed >700 physicians  >50 new and/or ongoing research projects Redes researchers leading/subcontracting, leveraging $18M  NNC directly responsible for $5M in new research funding Success: Research

CategoryFundedUnfundedTotals Junior Faculty Pre/Post-DocsN/A24 Interns Other *N/A16 TOTALS * Cancer Community Ambassador Program Redes Trainees

Isabel Scarinci, PhD, Junior Faculty, SE RNC Young researchers “must learn to fly.” Joaquín Barnoya, MD, Pre/Post-Doc, NW RNC ”…My research on the tobacco industry and Latin America has been widely distributed… thanks in part to the Redes En Acción network.” Maria Luisa Zúñiga, PhD, Junior Faculty, SW RNC ”This training…broadened my vision on the role of culture and ethnicity in preventive behavior.” Veronica Gutierrez, BS, SW RNC “If I had not had the experience of interning with Redes, graduate school would not be in my plans…this experience greatly impacted my passion for reaching out to the Latino community and making a positive difference.”

Redes Trainees: The Ripple Effect Y1 Y2 Y3 Y4 Y5 Trainee Totals Project Year

Success: Training Training  109 trainees  3 other training projects –LCAT community leadership seminars provide tobacco and alcohol control training –Science Enrichment Program educates students in cancer risk reduction strategies –Community Cancer Ambassador program provides cancer information to patients, the media and the general public

4 PSAs (video and audio) produced in Spanish and English >700 nationwide TV and radio stations receiving PSAs 2 Telly Awards for PSA excellence National PSA Campaign

Awareness  National media campaign  >300K newsletters  >1,000 community and professional events  >80,000 web site visits last year, 8,500 downloads Success: Awareness

What Redes Has Done Increased number of Hispanic students in the health sciences pipeline Increased research opportunities for early career Hispanic scientists Increased collaborations among Hispanic scientists Increased knowledge about Hispanics and cancer

Recommendations Increase support for research in Latino health issues  Include Hispanic subgroups in research  Address unique cultural and socioeconomic factors Increase the number of research projects awarded to Latino researchers at NIH, CDC levels Increase funding for scholarships to enable Latino students to enter health professions Increase support for development of culturally appropriate outreach efforts to raise awareness levels

Mil Gracias ! ! For more information on cancer control policy recommendations produced by Redes En Acción, visit our web sites at or