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Community Screening Navigation

February 1 @ 8:00 am - February 28 @ 5:00 pm

Cancer prevention and risk reduction education and tools

Community engagement is a framework that describes collaboration between researchers and community members throughout the research process.

At its core, community-engaged research aims to create positive change by addressing real-world problems in collaboration with the communities affected by them. This is achieved through developing partnerships that mobilize resources, influence systems and serve as catalysts for improving policies, programs and practices. Steps can be taken toward these goals by:

UF Health Cancer Institute graphic on a blue background illustrating community-engaged research. Central white circle with orange icon of three people connects to five gray text bubbles: lived experience insights, designing research, improving health communication, building greater trust, and reaching underserved and under-represented populations
  • Incorporating lived experience insights from community members into research design, interpretation and dissemination
  • Designing research for easy translation to real-world settings
  • Improving health communication and reach of interventions
  • Building greater trust between researchers and communities
  • Reach underserved and under-represented populations.

Community-engaged research goes beyond traditional research methods by prioritizing community involvement, empowerment and mutual learning. It fosters a sense of ownership and agency among community members, leading to more relevant, culturally responsive and sustainable outcomes. Active collaboration and dialogue foster a collective effort where diverse perspectives and knowledge are valued. Our Community Screening Navigation Program was launched to increase access to evidence-based cancer screenings, with an initial focus on cervical cancer screening and HPV vaccine uptake in vulnerable populations. Beyond that, we ensure a connection to needed care for all individuals. The care spans the continuum from screening through treatment and uses tailored communications, community outreach and engagement, and clinical navigation services.

Infographic titled 'Representation in Research in the U.S.' on a teal background with a dotted pattern and a faint U.S. map silhouette. The left section highlights statistics for socioeconomically disadvantaged individuals, including 5–12% enrollment in cancer clinical trials for those with a high school diploma and 11% enrollment for households earning under $25K. The right section shows underrepresented populations: African Americans at 13% of the population but 9% in trials, Latinx at 19% but 8% in trials, and Indigenous Americans at 1% participation.

We are working with local communities and clinics to increase access to high-quality cancer prevention, detection and treatment services. The Community Screening Navigation team is an integral function of the Office of Community Outreach and Engagement that has long been part of its structure. The team now supports the office’s Mobile Cancer Screening Connector, providing essential services underpinning its clinical, outreach and educational missions.

Details

  • Start: February 1 @ 8:00 am
  • End: February 28 @ 5:00 pm
  • Event Category: