Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 16, 2025
08:27
Real-time Cytotoxicity Assays in Human Whole Blood
Published on: November 7, 2014
12.3K
Community Health Workers to Increase Cancer Screening: 3 Community Guide Systematic Reviews.
Devon L Okasako-Schmucker1, Yinan Peng1, Jamaicia Cobb1
1Community Guide Office, Office of the Associate Director for Policy and Strategy (OADPS), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia.
American Journal of Preventive Medicine
|December 21, 2022
Summary
Community health workers effectively increase breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer screening rates. These interventions improve health equity, particularly in underserved communities, and are recommended for wider implementation.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Preventive Medicine
- Health Services Research
Background:
- Many individuals in the U.S. are not current with recommended cancer screenings.
- Low screening rates contribute to delayed diagnoses and poorer health outcomes.
- Systematic reviews are crucial for evaluating interventions aimed at improving public health outcomes.
Approach:
- This systematic review synthesized evidence from 76 studies on community health worker interventions for cancer screening.
- Publications were identified from previous reviews (1966-2013) and an updated search (2014-2021).
- Included studies focused on breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer screening in high-income countries, with community health workers from or knowledgeable about the target community.
Key Points:
- Community health worker interventions significantly increased breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer screening.
- Median increases in screening ranged from 10.5 to 12.8 percentage points.
- Intervention effectiveness was consistent across various demographics and socioeconomic statuses, including race, ethnicity, income, and insurance.
Conclusions:
- Community health worker interventions are a recommended strategy by the Community Preventive Services Task Force to boost cancer screening.
- These programs are vital for improving health equity by reaching underserved populations.
- Enhanced training and financial support for community health workers can further improve cancer screening uptake.
Related Concept Videos
02:59Cancer Prevention
6.3K
Several factors can increase the risk of cancer in an individual. About 50% of cancer cases can be prevented by adopting a healthy lifestyle, regular exercise, eating healthy, and following a modest cancer prevention diet. Epidemiological studies have consistently shown that populations with vegetable and fruit-rich diets have reduced the incidence of cancer. On the other hand, populations who have a diet rich in animal fat, red meat, junk food, or high calories are predisposed to cancer.
Some...
Some...
6.3K
01:30Preventive Healthcare Services
1.1K
Preventive healthcare services keep people healthy via frequent check-ups, screening, and counseling. They primarily aid in disease prevention rather than treating an acute or chronic illness. Preventive treatment also keeps individuals productive and energetic, allowing them to work well into their retirement years. Examples of preventive care services include:
1.1K
01:30Primary Healthcare Services
1.5K
Primary care promotes wellness and prevents disease. This care includes health promotion, education, protection (such as immunizations), early disease screening, and environmental considerations. Settings providing this type of healthcare include physician offices, public health clinics, school nursing, and community health nursing.
In 1978, international leaders convened in Alma-Ata, Kazakhstan, for what would be a pivotal event in global health. The Alma-Ata Declaration was the first to call...
In 1978, international leaders convened in Alma-Ata, Kazakhstan, for what would be a pivotal event in global health. The Alma-Ata Declaration was the first to call...
1.5K
01:21Cancer Survival Analysis
413
Cancer survival analysis focuses on quantifying and interpreting the time from a key starting point, such as diagnosis or the initiation of treatment, to a specific endpoint, such as remission or death. This analysis provides critical insights into treatment effectiveness and factors that influence patient outcomes, helping to shape clinical decisions and guide prognostic evaluations. A cornerstone of oncology research, survival analysis tackles the challenges of skewed, non-normally...
413
01:26Levels of Health Promotion and Illness Prevention
12.9K
Health promotion allows a person to control the determinants of health, resulting in an improved health status. It enhances the quality of life and reduces premature deaths. Health promotion and illness prevention programs help people make beneficial choices to reduce the risk of disease and disabilities. There are three health promotion and illness prevention levels: primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention.
In primary prevention, actions taken before disease onset prevent the disease from...
In primary prevention, actions taken before disease onset prevent the disease from...
12.9K
01:30Cancer Vaccines
478
Cancer treatment vaccines are a rapidly evolving field that offers a promising approach to immunotherapy. Unlike traditional vaccines that prevent diseases, cancer treatment vaccines are designed to treat existing cancers by stimulating the immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells.
Cancer vaccines come in two categories: preventive (prophylactic) and treatment (active). Preventive vaccines, such as the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, protect against viruses that cause certain...
Cancer vaccines come in two categories: preventive (prophylactic) and treatment (active). Preventive vaccines, such as the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, protect against viruses that cause certain...
478