Exploring the Role of Communication Asset Mapping (CAM) as a Strategy to Promote Hereditary Cancer Risk Assessment...

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Health Communication
• Health Disparities

Background:

• African Americans (AAs) face a disproportionately high burden of cancer and cancer-related mortality in the US.
• Hereditary cancer risk assessment (HCRA) can aid early detection, but AAs often have limited access to these resources, widening health disparities.
• Innovative communication strategies are needed to promote HCRA information and improve cancer screening within AA communities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the utility of Communication Asset Mapping (CAM) in empowering lay health advisors to disseminate evidence-based HCRA information.
• To engage AA faith communities in a participatory process to develop effective HCRA communication strategies.
• To identify optimal communication channels and trusted messengers for HCRA information within AA neighborhoods.

Main Methods:

• A pilot study employed a participatory approach, involving researchers and a Community Advisory Board (CAB).
• Exploratory community-engaged group discussions were conducted with residents (n=21), guided by Communication Infrastructure Theory.
• A community-engaged mapping process was utilized to inform the development of a CAM-based dissemination strategy for HCRA information.

Main Results:

• Optimal dissemination locations require trusted ambassadors within neighborhood networks to share HCRA information.
• Community engagement mapping must incorporate trusted community voices to accurately represent neighborhood networks.
• Geographic locations frequented by residents are crucial for establishing robust health information networks for HCRA.

Conclusions:

• Community residents valued the engagement process but noted limitations due to insufficient community input in identifying communication resources.
• CAM is a valuable public health strategy for identifying trusted networks and effective communication channels for HCRA information.
• CAM effectively identifies critical communicators for emerging health information, such as HCRA, within communities.