University of Arizona Cancer Center - Cancer Center Support Grant [MICEO Administrative Supplement]

University Of Arizona, Tucson AZ

Investigators

Linked publications, trials & patents

Abstract

ABSTRACT An estimated 62% (37 million) of Mexican-origin (MO) adults in the U.S. are predisposed to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), an emerging risk factor for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This is of particular concern in the Southern Arizona U.S.-Mexico border region as liver disease and liver cancer, are among the leading causes of death for MO adults. Significant disparities in the incidence and mortality of HCC in the U.S. exist across racial/ethnic and gender groups. Specifically, HCC incidence rates are two-fold higher in Hispanic populations overall compared to non-Hispanic whites. Further, HCC is one of the most fatal cancers; the 5-year cause-specific survival for Hispanics is 19%, rendering it the 3rd leading cause of cancer death in Hispanic men and the 5th leading cause in Hispanic women. Despite MO experiencing higher rates and worse outcomes for NAFLD and HCC compared to all racial and ethnic groups and other Hispanic populations, our preliminary work suggest awareness of NAFLD is low in Southern Arizona. Therefore, there is a critical need to improve liver disease and cancer health literacy for MO adults to reduce the disparities among this high-risk population. In the absence of such tools, the prevalence, morbidity, and economic costs associated with NAFLD and HCC in this population are likely to continue rising. The proposed research will address this gap by implementing a culturally tailored, multi-channel educational communication campaign to increase knowledge and public awareness of liver disease and liver cancer risk factors in MO. To achieve this objective, we will leverage our current screening and education efforts for liver disease prevention and treatment in Southern Arizona, the University of Arizona Cancer Center (UACC) catchment area. Further, we will leverage a NAFLD awareness multi-media educational communication campaign developed in partnership with El Rio Community Health Center, a Federally Qualified Health Center, including community-based education supported by promotoras de salud (community health workers). We will (1) evaluate the effectiveness of a culturally tailored, multi-channel educational communication campaign to improve knowledge and public awareness of liver disease and liver cancer risk factors in MO communities in Southern Arizona; and (2) determine the impact of promotora-led outreach, engagement, and education for cancer prevention and treatment in community-based settings. The proposed project will provide much needed evidence to inform the Community Preventive Services Task Force recommendations for engaging promotoras to increase knowledge and public awareness of liver disease and liver cancer risk factors in MO, particularly for this high-risk, underserved population.