IntroductionAmerican Indians and Alaska Natives (AIANs) experience significant cancer incidence and mortality disparities, with elevated cancer risk factor exposure, lower cancer screening rates, and poorer quality of cancer care relative to non-Hispanic Whites. To address these issues, the Southeastern American Indian Cancer health Equity Partnership (SAICEP) was formed to understand and address cancer disparities among southeastern American Indians (AIs).MethodsSAICEP formed in 2021 through the Community Outreach and Engagement offices of the NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers in North Carolina (NC). The catchment areas for these cancer centers include the tribal homelands for eight state and federally recognized Tribes, representing the largest AI populations in the eastern US. SAICEP seeks to: (1) increase awareness of cancer health needs of AI populations; (2) expand access to cancer health education and build community capacity to address cancer health needs; (3) develop collaborative research relationships to better understand and address the AI cancer burden.ResultsFor Aim 1, SAICEP created a virtual speakers' series, featuring prominent AI cancer researchers and clinicians, hosted by the UNC Lineberger Cancer Network three times a year. To date, 10 webinars have been convened, with a total of 538 participants. For Aim 2, SAICEP participates in tribal events throughout the year, reaching over 3500 AIs and disseminating printed cancer educational materials and giveaways. For Aim 3, SAICEP secured funding to conduct analyses to assess cancer incidence, mortality, and care quality for NC AIs, to collect information to understand community cancer needs and culturally adapt and disseminate information on cancer screening and risk reduction.ConclusionThrough its targeted research and engagement, SAICEP has successfully moved towards achieving its goal of understanding and addressing cancer disparities among AIs in NC. Future directions will involve the development of a community advisory board and collaborations with Tribes in other states.
Keywords: American Indians; cancer; community outreach; community-engaged research; health disparities.
American Indians and Alaska Natives (AIANs) face significant challenges with cancer, including greater exposure to risk factors, lower screening rates, limited access to quality care compared to non-Hispanic Whites, and higher rates of cancer-related deaths. To address these issues, the Southeastern American Indian Cancer health Equity Partnership (SAICEP) was created. SAICEP’s mission is to understand and address the burden of cancer among American Indian (AI) people in our combined service area. SAICEP was formed in 2021 as a partnership between the three NCI designated cancer centers in North Carolina, which serve multiple tribal nations and Urban Indian organizations. SAICEP engages with Native people through initiatives like a virtual speakers’ series featuring AI cancer experts. So far, SAICEP has hosted 10 webinars, reaching 538 attendees. Additionally, SAICEP participates in tribal events, sharing educational materials and information to help communities understand and reduce cancer risks. Our team has also secured funding to study cancer trends, care quality, and community needs for AIs in North Carolina, which helps identify ways to improve care and support cancer prevention. SAICEP’s efforts have made meaningful progress toward understanding and addressing cancer disparities among AIs. Looking ahead, the group plans to create a community advisory board and expand its work to include partnerships with Tribes in other states. By combining research, education, and community outreach, SAICEP aims to ensure AI communities have the tools and resources they need to fight cancer.