The Nine Habits of successful comprehensive cancer control coalitions

The nine habits of successful comprehensive cancer control coalitions (Nine Habits) is a guide that outlines the key elements of successful comprehensive cancer control (CCC) coalitions. The guide was developed under the auspices of the Comprehensive Cancer Control National Partnership (CCCNP) and is based on evaluation including a literature review, qualitative and quantitative data collection from high-performing comprehensive cancer control coalitions. Comprehensive cancer control coalitions are made up of key stakeholders who come together to create a shared vision and shared plans to fight cancer, improve health outcomes, and reduce the burden from cancer. The CCCNP produced this guide to help coalitions maintain the health of their coalition efforts by providing tools to examine the key elements of successful coalitions, including leadership, membership, organizational structure, shared resources, and efforts in planning and communications. This paper provides information on how the guide was used by two states to rebuild their coalition and ultimately improve their efforts in improving health outcomes and reducing cancer burden. Lastly, the paper outlines future efforts to continue to support CCC coalitions in their work.