The social unit: an important facet in the design of cancer control research

Abstract

The research phases defined by the National Cancer Institute have prompted behavioral scientists to focus research on decreasing cancer risk behaviors. However, most of the work thus far has focused on the effects of interventions on individuals' behavior. Further progress may require that we also go through similar research phases with larger social units, such as worksites, health care organizations, and communities as the research targets. Research on larger social units is needed to: (a) disseminate interventions that have been shown to affect individuals' cancer risk; (b) sustain the effects of cancer control interventions; and (c) modify practices of larger social units which affect individuals' cancer risk. This article provides examples of how the research phase scheme can be applied productively to larger social units.