Washington University ACCERT center

Project Summary (Abstract) Goal: The overall goal of the WashU ACCERT is to advance cancer control equity through community - engaged multilevel research interventions that address the impact of social determinants of health on adverse cancer control outcomes. Aims: The specific aims of the Center are to: (1) Bring innovation to cancer control equity research through

community-academic partnerships in using multilevel research methods and measures to develop transformative solutions; (2) Assemble and engage an exceptional, diverse team of cancer health equity investigators and build capacity among academic and community partners; (3) Organize and integrate Center

components in a manner that facilitates new thinking about health equity through transdisciplinary, team science; (4) Develop a research methods, measures and data management shared resource (RMMDM core) to support the implementation and dissemination of scientifically rigorous internal and cross center projects; (5)

Identify opportunities and develop plans to effectively address social determinates of health and reduce cancer disparities Strategy: WashU-ACCERT will build on a long record of community engaged research to reduce cancer disparities and sustain mechanisms for community input of responsive research. This will be accomplished by

engaging investigators from different disciplines and investing in the development of community partners and early-stage investigators. We will build on expertise in community-engaged research, issemination science, and social determinants of health (SDOH) to deliver responsive products and use ongoing measures of

community engagement to monitor and adjust our processes. By continuously engaging community partners, we will bring meaningful relief through improvements in care, build trust in the research enterprise, and accelerate the elimination of cancer disparities. Innovation and impact: Our proposed Center will be particularly innovative and have widespread impact by

advancing a network of cancer control equity researchers, building intellectual capital, and enhancing the capacity for health equity in cancer prevention and control. WashU-ACCERT has distinctive features that build on a sustained focus on cancer disparities and apply strategies to build multilevel interventions that are

responsive to community needs. These features include a uniquely diverse team as part of our Community Responsive Research Program (CRRP), engagement and development of community partners and early-stage investigators, strategic dissemination of products to benefit communities, and a focused strategy for collective

integration of projects and cores across ACCERT centers. This Center will ultimately advance cancer control equity and promote capacity building among community partners.