Cancer Related Health Disparities Training Program

PROJECT ABSTRACT/SUMMARY
This is a proposal for the competing continuation of the University of Minnesota T32 Cancer Health Disparities
Training Program, funded by NCI since 2011. Disparities in cancer incidence, prevalence, screening, treatment
and survivorship are persistent, with persons from socioeconomically under-resourced and disadvantaged
populations and racial/ethnic minorities disproportionately burdened. This program meets the essential need to
train a diverse cadre of investigators to address cancer health disparities through innovative, multi-level and
multi-domain interventions and community-engaged research. The primary goal of our T32 Program is to
prepare predoctoral and postdoctoral trainees with the knowledge, skills, and experiences necessary to
conduct cancer related intervention research with populations experiencing health disparities. Our 3 Training
Aims are to: 1) to increase the number of predoctoral and postdoctoral trainees committed to intervention and
translational research addressing cancer disparities by leveraging the strengths of the current training program,
including curricular, mentored research, and career development components; 2) each year, prepare three
predoctoral and three postdoctoral trainees to reduce cancer related health disparities; and 3) enhance the
diversity of the research workforce in cancer related health disparities by committing to recruiting at least 50%
of trainees from backgrounds underrepresented in research. We seek to educate researchers who are well
prepared to design, implement, and disseminate innovative community-engaged interventions to reduce
cancer related disparities. With this renewal, we also will pursue three initiatives that are responsive to trainee
feedback and innovations in health equity research. First, our leadership, mentorship, and curriculum have
been aligned with scientific approaches to health disparities research focused on multiple levels and domains
of influence along the cancer continuum. Second, the role of our Community Mentors has been transformed to
facilitate increased opportunities for trainees to acquire skills and experiences in community-engaged
research. Finally, we will expand the focus on intervention development to address trainee recommendations
for education in intervention implementation. Our training program is designed to prepare investigators skilled
in intervention and translational research to reduce cancer health disparities with a focus on community
engaged research. We will achieve our goals through an enriching mentored experience, didactic training, and
collaborative research training and projects. Overall, our proposal is highly aligned with the NCI priorities for
Advancing Public Health in Cancer.

Grant Number: 5T32CA163184-15
NIH Institute/Center: NIH
Principal Investigator: MICHELE ALLEN