Markey Receives Funding to Improve Community Cancer Education in Eastern Kentucky
University of Kentucky researchers Robin Vanderpool and Mark Dignan are leading projects funded by the National Cancer Institute鈥檚 Center to Reduce Cancer Health Disparities to continue Markey Cancer Center鈥檚 community-based efforts aimed at reducing cancer rates in Appalachia. Both programs are funded for three years.
Appalachian regions, particularly in Eastern Kentucky, have disproportionately high rates of both incidence and mortality due to cancer when compared to other regions in the United States. Poverty, lack of access to health care, poor diet, tobacco use, and lack of exercise conspire together to produce high rates of preventable cancers in Appalachia.
The 好色先生 Markey Cancer Center brings together numerous disciplines and universities throughout Appalachia to research and implement community-based solutions to help reduce the rate of cancer in the region. The additional funding received supports two projects: the National Outreach Network (NON) and a Geographical Management of Health Disparities Program (GMaP).
The NON program provides funding to support a community health educator (CHE) who will be strategically integrated into Markey Cancer Center鈥檚 cancer prevention and control activities. Through NCI鈥檚 National Outreach Network, the CHE is linked to a collection of evidence-based resources and programs to increase access to accurate and culturally tailored cancer information, education and outreach activities to improve local cancer health disparities.
The CHE role will enhance coordination of cancer prevention and control activities with the Markey Cancer Center, GMaP investigators, Kentucky Cancer Program (KCP), Kentucky Cancer Consortium, and other state, regional, and local community partners. Mindy Rogers, who recently served as regional cancer control specialist with KCP in the Cumberland Valley region of the state, will serve as the NON CHE covering Kentucky鈥檚 Appalachian communities.
GMaP includes partners at the cancer centers of Johns Hopkins University and the University of Virginia, as well as health disparities researchers at the University of South Carolina. GMaP will focus on increasing research training opportunities in our region, mentoring students and investigators early in their careers, and work with the NON CHE to reach out to the community.
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MEDIA CONTACT: Allison Perry, (859) 323-2399 or allison.perry@uky.edu
