Creating and Implementing a Community Engagement Strategy for the 2022-2027 Illinois Comprehensive Cancer Control Plan Through an Academic-State Public Health Department Partnership.

INTRODUCTION: Comprehensive cancer control (CCC) plans are state-level blueprints that identify regional cancer priorities and health equity strategies. Coalitions are encouraged to engage with community members, advocacy groups, people representing multiple sectors, and working partners throughout the development process. We describe the community and legislative engagement strategy developed and implemented during 2020-2022 for the 2022-2027 Illinois CCC plan. METHODS: The engagement strategies were grounded in theory and evidence-based tools and resources. It was developed and implemented by coalition members representing the state health department and an academic partner, with feedback from the larger coalition. The strategy included a statewide town hall, 8 focus groups, and raising awareness of the plan among state policy makers. RESULTS: A total of 112 people participated in the town hall and focus groups, including 40 (36%) cancer survivors, 31 (28%) cancer caregivers, and 18 (16%) Latino and 26 (23%) African American residents. Fourteen of 53 (26%) focus group participants identified as rural. Participants identified drivers of cancer disparities (eg, lack of a comprehensive health insurance system, discrimination, transportation access) and funding and policy priorities. Illinois House Resolution 0675, the Illinois Cancer Control Plan, was passed in March 2022. CONCLUSION: The expertise and voices of community members affected by cancer can be documented and reflected in CCC plans. CCC plans can be brought to the attention of policy makers. Other coalitions working on state plans may consider replicating our strategy. Ultimately, CCC plans should reflect health equity principles and prioritize eliminating cancer disparities.

Recommendations from a Dialogue on Evolving National Cancer Institute-Designated Comprehensive Cancer Center Community Outreach and Engagement Requirements: A Path Forward.

While cancer mortality is declining in the United States, significant racial, ethnic, economic and geographic inequities persist. To help address inequities in cancer treatment, care, support and research, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) instituted the community outreach and engagement (COE) mandate for NCI-designated comprehensive cancer centers (CCCs). The Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation designed a convening and listening session on COE with NCI leaders and staff gathering representatives from CCCs and the broader cancer community. This paper captures recommendations from the listening session for the NCI and CCCs to further evolve the implementation and impact of the COE mandate on cancer control and outcomes.

Special Convening and Listening Session on Health Equity and Community Outreach and Engagement at National Cancer Institute-Designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers.

In recent years, the cancer research and care community has been more attuned to health equity, increasingly pursuing coordinated and comprehensive action to achieve equitable health outcomes. In addition to its support of a joint research agenda for health disparities in 2017, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) has demonstrated its commitment to addressing health inequities with its 2012 requirement for cancer centers to define and address the needs of a local "catchment area" and the 2016 mandate for Community Outreach and Engagement (COE). With several years of experience with the COE requirements, there is an opportunity to reflect on the experience to-date and identify opportunities to bolster the impact of COE on equitable cancer outcomes for the future. To do so, the Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation (BMSF) hosted a special convening and listening session in April 2019. The session agenda was cocreated by BMSF and NCI leaders and staff. It brought together 41 individuals, including representatives from the NCI Cancer Centers Program, Division of Cancer Control and Population Health and Center to Reduce Cancer Health Disparities, 22 NCI-designated, emerging or affiliated comprehensive cancer centers, and the broader cancer community. This article captures key themes from that meeting, including an overview of current COE efforts, with a deeper look at how four cancer centers are embedding health equity and COE efforts into their institutions and work, and the successes and challenges they have encountered.