Western North Carolina Colorectal Cancer Health Equity Summit

Description

The American Cancer Society, in partnership with the Colon Cancer Coalition, MAHEC, HCA Healthcare Foundation, and the Community Foundation of Western North Carolina is launching a multi-component project that aims to improve colorectal cancer (CRC) health equity in a sustainable and collaborative approach across the region.

Research has shown a strong correlation between sustained and consistent screening efforts with the decrease in CRC incidence and mortality. Screening allows for the early detection of CRC cancer when the cancer is easier to treat, however, many WNC residents at the recommended ages for CRC screening remain unscreened, and the pandemic continues to aggravate this situation.

Meanwhile, CRC incidence and mortality disparities exist across race and socioeconomic statuses in the WNC region and are expected to grow amid the pandemic's disruptions to routine cancer screening and existing barriers to care. Elevating the realities faced by Western North Carolina patients, clinicians, researchers, and communities is paramount to achieving equity in the region. Capitalizing on ACS's strength as a highly trusted source of cancer information and a proven convener in the mission to end cancer, the American Cancer Society is collaborating with health systems (hospitals, safety net clinics and Federally Qualified Health Centers) and others to increase CRC screening rates, improve CRC early detection and access to treatment, and in turn, improve health equity and save lives from CRC in the WNC region.

A key component of this effort will be to convene stakeholders (health systems, community organizations, patients, survivors and caregivers) for a summit to discuss current CRC landscape through an equity lens.

Agenda

5:00pm	Registration/Check-in Begins
5:30pm-5:40pm	Welcome and Introduction
5:40pm-6:00pm	Keynote Discussions
6:00pm-6:15pm	Plenary Session: CRC Health Equity in WNC: Access Outcomes, and Current Existing Program
6:15pm-6:40 pm	Panel Discussion
6:40pm-6:45pm	Break
6:45pm-7:40pm	Breakouts #1 The ACS Learning Collaborative and Links to Care Model #2 Disparities in CRC Treatment and Survivorship Coordination #3 The Role of Communities and Community Partners
7:40pm-8:30pm	Panel Discussion and Q&A: Medicaid Expansion and Advocacy
8:30pm	Closing

Jointly Provided by

In Collaboration with

Target Audience

MD, DO, PA, NP, Nurses, Navigators, Community Organizations Advocating/Supporting CRC Patients

Objectives

• Summit keynote and plenary session: Participants will be reintroduced to the importance of language in the space of health equity.
• Summit keynote and plenary session: Participants will become familiar with the ACS CRC Health Equity initiative.
• Summit keynote and plenary session: Participants will be introduced to evidence-based interventions that highlight what is working in WNC to address 1) disparities in screening, 2) disparities in treatment, and 3) disparities in survivorship.
• Breakout 1 - The ACS Learning Collaborative and Links to Care Model: Participants will be able to identify barriers to care that are specific to our area and learn about evidence-based approaches to lower those barriers through the ACS learning collaborative and Links to Care Model.
• Breakout 1 - The ACS Learning Collaborative and Links to Care Model: Participants will be introduced to the proven quality improvement model developed and offered by the ACS.
• Breakout 1 - The ACS Learning Collaborative and Links to Care Model: Participants will be able to participate in discussion with other key stakeholders to explore proven models to 1) increase follow-up for FIT positive patients, 2) decrease time between referrals and colonoscopies, 3) increase free and/or reduced-cost colonoscopies for uninsured patients, and 4) decrease time between diagnosis and treatment initiation.
• Breakout 2 - Disparities in CRC Treatment and Survivorship Coordination: Participants will be able to discover and identify resources available regionally to support patients from diagnosis to survivorship.
• Breakout 2 - Disparities in CRC Treatment and Survivorship Coordination: Participants will be able to recognize potential barriers associated with CRC diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship in WNC.
• Breakout 2 - Disparities in CRC Treatment and Survivorship Coordination: Participants will be able to discuss ways to minimize barriers to care for their patients.
• Breakout 3 - The Role of Communities, Community Partners and Community Health Workers: Participants will be able to identify partners in the WNC community that can assist patients to decrease barriers and access to cancer diagnosis, treatment, care and survivorship.
• Breakout 3 - The Role of Communities, Community Partners and Community Health Workers: Participants will be able to discuss the impact of social determinants of health (SDoH) on cancer diagnosis, treatment, care and survivorship.
• Breakout 3 - The Role of Communities, Community Partners and Community Health Workers: Participants will be able to identify resources and support the community can offer to cancer patients in WNC.
• Breakout 3 - The Role of Communities, Community Partners and Community Health Workers: Participants will be able to takeaway tools and messaging to assist them in offering community resources to patients.
• Panel discussion and closing session: Participants will discuss various key takeaways to 1) increase screening rates through evidence-based interventions, 2) explore strategies to develop a Links to Care and medical neighborhoods, and 3) expand local networks to allow for a greater role of community in cancer diagnosis, treatment, care and survivorship.
• Panel discussion and closing session: Participants will develop a deeper understanding of the impact of Medicaid expansion in cancer diagnosis, treatment, care and survivorship.

Faculty

• Mireille J. Aleman, PHD, MPH
• Robyn M. Bailey, BSN, RN, ACM
• Molly Black, MPH
• Michael Burke, MD, PhD
• Kerry A. Crandall, MS, CGC
• Joe Greene
• Beth Matthews, MSN, RN, OCN, ONN-CG
• Michael Newcomer, MD
• Martin Palmeri, MD, MBA
• Elisa Quarles, CEO
• Amy H. Russell, MD
• Shantelle R. Simpson, Ed.D, MSM, RN
• Tomica A. Smith, BS, MS
• Kelly White, MPH, MHE