A Community-Partnered Cancer Disparities Research Collaborative Model for Engaging Members of Low-Income Black Communities in Cancer Research

Black adults experience the highest incidence and/or mortality rates for many commonly diagnosed cancers; yet they are underrepresented in cancer basic, applied, and translational research. This underrepresentation is greatest among Black adults living in low-income communities. There are many barriers to these individuals participating in cancer research, including limited effective research engagement strategies. This paper describes the University of Florida (UF) Health Cancer Center Community-Partnered Cancer Disparities Research Collaborative (CDRC) model and its implementation. The UF CDRC model consists of human and physical infrastructure for the sustained engagement of Black adults within low-income communities in cancer research. The CDRC model is culturally sensitive and informed by the community-based participatory research approach, which requires equitable partnerships between scientific researchers and community members. The human infrastructure of the CDRC model includes faculty and community researchers, pastors, and culturally diverse university students. The physical infrastructure of the CDRC model consists of 10 predominantly Black churches and a community-based multipurpose building, all of which are community outreach and research sites. Examples of evidence supporting the use of the CDRC model includes (a) the successful recruitment, training, and retention of trusted community members and leaders as major research partners in the CDRC, and (b) the pipeline development of culturally sensitive student and faculty health equity researchers. The CDRC model is a novel, replicable infrastructure model for the sustained engagement of Black adults within low-income communities in cancer prevention, treatment, and survivorship research. It is dedicated to reducing cancer disparities that plague Black communities.