Survey of the Health of Wisconsin

University Of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison WI

Investigators

Linked publications, trials & patents

Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY / ABSTRACT Cancer remains a leading cause of death and disability in the United States and significant disparities across urban and rural, as well as racial and ethnic populations, exist. Population health sciences is an interdisciplinary approach drawing on basic, clinical, and social sciences to ensure translation and dissemination of new knowledge into useful applications across multiple sectors. The Survey of the Health of Wisconsin, SHOW, is a long-standing infrastructure for population health research. Established in 2008, SHOW includes an ongoing longitudinal cohort study of individuals representing the entire state of Wisconsin. As a University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center (UWCCC) shared resource (SR), SHOW provides members with an existing data collection infrastructure and access to detailed survey data, physical exam measurements and biospecimens for advancing cancer control. UWCCC has a rich history of providing survey and research study design support for members through the Cancer Prevention and Outcomes Data (C-POD) SR; which was merged with SHOW to support cancer research across the entire UWCCC catchment area. In the current CCSG cycle, the C-POD and SHOW served 35 unique UWCCC members across all six scientific programs. SHOW includes detailed survey and physical exam data describing population trends in numerous well established and emerging cancer risk factors including multiple social determinants of health. These detailed data are coupled with stored biospecimens including urine, serum, plasma and DNA on over 4,000 individual Wisconsin residents. With this unique resource, SHOW’s goal is to facilitate innovative cancer research for improved cancer prevention and control across all communities in Wisconsin. This is accomplished through 3 aims: 1) Accelerate Cancer Surveillance and Cancer Prevention and Control Research through the Use of Existing Data. SHOW’s longitudinal data are available to UWCCC members to conduct etiologic research and monitor the prevalence of known and emerging cancer risk factors across the UWCCC catchment. 2) Facilitate the Development of New Population Based Cancer Research Utilizing SHOW Expertise and Infrastructure. Independent of the core SHOW data, SHOW can support new study design and survey development, including rigorous and reproducible methods and protocols for population based biospecimen collection and storage. 3) Foster Use of SHOW Biospecimens for Novel Cancer Research. SHOW maintains an extensive biorepository and expertise to support cost effective biomarker based cancer research. Dr. Malecki (CPC), the SHOW Faculty Leader and Dr. Schultz, the Facility Manager, have over twenty years of combined experience and expertise in population based epidemiologic, community engaged, and translational research. SHOW also maintains long-standing relationships with diverse African American and rural community based organizations serving those carrying the heaviest cancer burden. These ongoing partnerships are critical for UWCCC members to disseminate findings, to advance cancer control and reduce disparities in alignment with the UWCCC Strategic Plan.