Community health advisors effectively promote cancer screening

Abstract

Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States. Across many cancers, racial and ethnic minorities bear an unequal burden of disease (e.g., lower 5-year survival rates). Concerted efforts to reach minority communities and address these disparities are needed. Community Health Advisors (CHAs) are trusted natural helpers from within the community who provide emotional support, advice, and tangible aid to members of their social network. Their understanding of community culture allows them to provide culturally appropriate, informal, and spontaneous assistance to community members. Using various approaches and across a number of racial/ethnic groups, CHA interventions have demonstrated success in increasing cancer screening. This paper highlights some of those intervention programs and concludes with considerations for future projects.