About Our 2005 Conference

Exploring Models to Eliminate Cancer Disparities Among African American and Latino Populations: Research and Community Solutions

April 21-22, 2005
Atlanta, Georgia

An overflow crowd of more than 200 researchers, health care providers, members of community groups, and advocates attended this conference to learn about the latest research and community efforts under way to eliminate cancer disparities among African American and Latino populations. This conference marked the first time that the Society brought together researchers and community groups within this type of forum. This interaction went beyond the simple dissemination of information but as Dr. Elmer Heurta stated, “the conference generated a vibration of excitement that could be felt as participants discussed the sessions.”

The conference opened with a reception and presentation of posters addressing topics as varied as use of community health advisors to increase mammography screenings among African American women; the training of lay health advisors (promotoras) to reach Latino populations; and enhancing recruitment and retention of breast cancer patients for improved treatment adherence and outcomes. The poster presenters came from across the U.S bringing local engaged community representatives and officials supporting the community and scientific research projects. Of note was the cross interaction and networking of members of one poster team, from environments like Milwaukee, with teams from areas of Phoenix and Florida, feeding on the ideas and potential solutions of others.

Keynote speakers at the plenary sessions were David Satcher, MD, PhD, US Surgeon General 1998-2002 and currently the interim president of the Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta; Elmer Huerta, MD, MPH, founder and director, Cancer Preventorium, Washington (DC) Cancer Institute, and a vice president of the American Cancer Society’s National Board; and Mark McClellan, MD, PhD, administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

Breakout sessions featured research and reports on best practices for a variety of interventions to reduce disparities, including a model for increasing participation in clinical trials in rural Maryland; the use of bilingual Spanish-English survivor-patient navigators in two New York City breast clinics; and the participation of African American barbers in Illinois in promoting colon cancer screenings and beauticians in North Carolina promoting a variety of health interventions to their specialized clientele.

A peer-reviewed supplement of papers and posters presented at this conference was published in the January 2007 issue of Cancer. Abstracts from this issue can be viewed at http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/cgi-bin/jissue/114042167.