DP24-004, PRC Core: University of Pennsylvania Prevention Research Center

UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA PREVENTION RESEARCH CENTER Multiple Principal Investigators (MPIs): Karen Glanz, PhD, MPH; Meghan Lane-Fall, MD, MSHP; and Oluwadamilola (Lola) M. Fayanju, MD, MA, MPHS The University of Pennsylvania Prevention Research Center (UPenn PRC) is submitting this application to support its Prevention Research Center for five years from 2024-2029. The aims of the UPenn PRC include strengthening public and private sector community partnerships; translating scientific knowledge into action to improve public health; and extending collaborative training, education, communication, and translation and dissemination activities in high-risk and disadvantaged groups in Southeastern Pennsylvania. The UPenn PRC will engage with community residents and organizations to adapt and study implementation science-informed strategies that focus on the prevention, reduction and treatment of chronic disease and on increasing health equity in Philadelphia, Southeastern Pennsylvania and beyond. We aim to strengthen community partnerships; implement an equity-focused prevention research agenda, reduce health risks, improve social-environmental contexts, and scale-up evidence-based interventions (EBI's) for wider reach. Our core research project will improve understanding of how to successfully implement community- and clinically-relevant EBI strategies to improve treatment decisions and quality of life of older adult cancer patients This proposal builds on the foundation of the UPenn PRC established in 2014 and a PCORI-funded Engagement Award for the Philadelphia Communities Conquering Cancer (PC3) Collaborative (2022-2024). The primary thematic focus of the Center and the focus of the core research project are on implementation of evidence-based strategies to improve patient and provider communication to optimize clinical and community- based management of cancer in diverse older adults. Using the processes, products, and findings of the core research project, the UPenn PRC will work with community partners to translate and disseminate implementation strategies to promote update of EBIs and improve shared decision-making, quality of life, and appropriate tertiary prevention for older cancer patients. Our proposal focuses on scalable approaches to address pressing health challenges for the public by working with community partners, using easily adapted strategies to improve communication between older cancer patients and providers, and leveraging implementation science techniques to improve adoption, fidelity and dissemination. Our Community Advisory Board (CAB) will be involved in all aspects of the Center and will help to ensure that all our efforts are designed to meet the needs of patients, providers, caregivers and the public.