Films for Indigenous Cancer Health: Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Indigenous Nations, and Health Communications

Roswell Park Cancer Institute Corp, Buffalo NY

Investigators

Linked publications & trials

Abstract

Project Summary/Abstract Cancer and health-related community outreach and education efforts progressively rely on digital media to reach and inform important target audiences. To address cancer disparities among Indigenous populations the aim of this project creates a series of health communication films with social media influencers and Indigenous icons for use in community-based health centers and is guided by the Transportation-Imagery Model of Narrative Communication. The project will integrate community-based practice, prevention messaging, cancer screening information to increase cancer-based knowledge, intent, and behaviors among Indigenous communities. This will be accomplished by collaborative efforts from an NCI-designated cancer center’s Department of Indigenous Cancer Health, Community Outreach and Engagement, and Health Communications Resources alongside Indigenous media networks and community-based film companies. Objectives include film creation, hosting screenings, panel discussions and the embedment of films into the cancer center’s Indigenous outreach, engagement, and prevention digital repository. Evaluative efforts include co-produced films guided by an inter- tribal community advisory board, pre-post surveys on knowledge, attitude, cancer prevention, and screening behaviors. The long-term goal is the continuance of community outreach for Indigenous communities, Indigenous urban centers with sustainable integration into Indigenous services delivery systems Overall, results are expected to increase community-based collaborative efforts through health messaging.