HHS commits $95 million to minorities cancer program

The new initiative, called the community networks program (CNP), was developed by HHS’ National Cancer Institute (NCI), part of the National Institutes of Health. Its aim is to reduce cancer disparities through community participation in education, research and training.

Up to 25 grantees will develop programs to increase the use of cancer interventions in underserved communities. Interventions will include proven approaches including smoking cessation, increasing healthy eating and physical activity, and early detection and treatment of breast, cervical and colorectal cancers.

Programs will be designed to reach communities and populations experiencing a disproportionate share of the cancer burden, and will address African Americans, American Indians/Alaska Natives, Hawaiian Natives and other Pacific Islanders, Asians, Hispanics/Latinos, and rural underserved populations.

“Community-based approaches continue to be a successful way to providing access and hope to those most in need,” Secretary Leavitt said. “The CNP is a good model that will allow the communities to provide results to the community it serves.”

Reducing and eliminating cancer disparities continue to be a major commitment for HHS, the research community, health care providers and policymakers. In recent years, the cancer research community has looked to learn more about why members of some population groups experience higher cancer incidence and mortality rates than others.

The CNP builds on advances from a previous initiative called the special population networks program. It will be administered through individual cooperative agreements between NCI and the CNP grantees and will be directed by NCI’s Center to Reduce Cancer Health Disparities.