Leveraging Patient Advocacy and Faith-Based Partnerships to Educate, Activate, and Prepare Black Communities to Be Screened for Lung Cancer

Abstract

Lung cancer is the second most common and the deadliest cancer for men and women in the United States. Historical and current-day injustices, implicit and explicit bias, stigma, social determinants, and disparities contribute to inequitable lung cancer-related health outcomes for Black people comparatively. Despite being a preventive health recommendation for more than a decade, the percentage of eligible individuals screened remains low. Burgeoning lung cancer screening programs have established capacity and opened access across the country, but screening rates remain exceedingly poor, especially among people of color. More intentional efforts must be made and socially conscious and population-specific methods must be undertaken to ensure all eligible individuals realize the benefits of screening. Partnerships between advocacy organizations for patients with lung cancer and faith-based organizations are a natural leverage point to educate, prepare, and empower Black health ministries to disseminate lung cancer-related health information to their faith communities. This How I Do It article shares an approach to community outreach and engagement in Black churches in the South, informed by established principles and best practices and the perspectives and skills only lived experiences can offer.

Keywords: Black; community empowerment; cultural competency; lung cancer screening; participatory engagement; partnership; patient advocacy; screening readiness; trust building.