Core 1: Community Outreach and Engagement Core

CORE 1_COMMUNITY OUTREACH AND ENGAGEMENT: ABSTRACT Through community engagement, targeted translational research, and improved recruitment and retention of patients into clinical trials, the Community Outreach and Engagement (COE) Core of the SPORE seeks to address the disproportionate cancer burdens faced by communities within our catchment area. Using evidence-based strategies, the COE Core will actively engage patients with lymphoma who are at higher risk for poor outcomes and less commonly enrolled in trials. To facilitate research development and implementation between SPORE investigators and communities, the COE Core will leverage the infrastructure of the Emory Winship Cancer Center Support Grant (CCSG) Office of COE and the MD Anderson CCSG COE and Center for Community-Engaged Translational Research (CCETR) to establish and maintain research partnerships and increase the capacity of investigators to recruit and retain patients to clinical studies. The Community Advisory Board (CAB) and patient advisory panels will guide research priorities and address the most critical needs, with a continued focus on translational research. Challenges to clinical trial participation in cancer populations, such as financial constraints, medical mistrust, and logistical hurdles, will be addressed through tailored, community-based interventions. These interventions will build on established doctor-patient relationships, improve clinical trial education, and address patients’ emotional needs. Regular needs assessments will guide the development of multilevel, evidence-based interventions, expansion of trial eligibility criteria, integration of research staff into the community, and community-targeted recruitment materials. In collaboration with all three Projects, the COE Core will adapt and implement capacity-building training to improve recruitment into clinical trials. The COE Core will facilitate community education and dissemination of research findings, working with the CAB and investigators to craft key messages and develop strategies for widespread dissemination to patients and providers.