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Vanderpool RC, Blake KD, Chou WYS, D'Angelo H, Everson NS, Iles IA, Gaysynsky A. Contributions to Research and Practice Made by the National Cancer Institute's Health Communication and Informatics Research Branch. HEALTH COMMUNICATION 2024:1-8. [PMID: 38486413 PMCID: PMC11399315 DOI: 10.1080/10410236.2024.2326263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/16/2024]
Abstract
The Health Communication and Informatics Research Branch at the U.S. National Cancer Institute was founded in 1999 in response to increasing evidence demonstrating a link between effective health communication and improved cancer-related outcomes and in recognition of the rapid and dramatic technological changes that were transforming health communication at the turn of the 21st century. For the past 25 years, the Health Communication and Informatics Research Branch has been conducting and supporting research at the forefront of emerging cancer communication trends and technologies, making numerous contributions to health communication science, public health, and cancer control practice. In this essay, we provide a brief history of the branch and the context that led to its establishment, discuss contributions made by the branch to health communication research and practice through key projects and initiatives, and conclude by highlighting health communication and informatics research priorities that offer opportunities for significant impact going forward in light of the challenges posed by the current communication environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robin C Vanderpool
- Health Communication and Informatics Research Branch, Behavioral Research Program, Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences, National Cancer Institute
| | - Kelly D Blake
- Health Communication and Informatics Research Branch, Behavioral Research Program, Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences, National Cancer Institute
| | - Wen-Ying Sylvia Chou
- Health Communication and Informatics Research Branch, Behavioral Research Program, Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences, National Cancer Institute
| | - Heather D'Angelo
- Health Communication and Informatics Research Branch, Behavioral Research Program, Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences, National Cancer Institute
| | - Nicole Senft Everson
- Health Communication and Informatics Research Branch, Behavioral Research Program, Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences, National Cancer Institute
| | - Irina A Iles
- Health Communication and Informatics Research Branch, Behavioral Research Program, Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences, National Cancer Institute
| | - Anna Gaysynsky
- Health Communication and Informatics Research Branch, Behavioral Research Program, Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences, National Cancer Institute
- ICF Next, ICF
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Riera R, de Oliveira Cruz Latorraca C, Padovez RCM, Pacheco RL, Romão DMM, Barreto JOM, Machado MLT, Gomes R, da Silva SF, Martimbianco ALC. Strategies for communicating scientific evidence on healthcare to managers and the population: a scoping review. Health Res Policy Syst 2023; 21:71. [PMID: 37430348 DOI: 10.1186/s12961-023-01017-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2023] [Accepted: 06/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/12/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Health evidence needs to be communicated and disseminated in a manner that is clearly understood by decision-makers. As an inherent component of health knowledge translation, communicating results of scientific studies, effects of interventions and health risk estimates, in addition to understanding key concepts of clinical epidemiology and interpreting evidence, represent a set of essential instruments to reduce the gap between science and practice. The advancement of digital and social media has reshaped the concept of health communication, introducing new, direct and powerful communication platforms and gateways between researchers and the public. The objective of this scoping review was to identify strategies for communicating scientific evidence in healthcare to managers and/or population. METHODS We searched Cochrane Library, Embase®, MEDLINE® and other six electronic databases, in addition to grey literature, relevant websites from related organizations for studies, documents or reports published from 2000, addressing any strategy for communicating scientific evidence on healthcare to managers and/or population. RESULTS Our search identified 24 598 unique records, of which 80 met the inclusion criteria and addressed 78 strategies. Most strategies focused on risk and benefit communication in health, were presented by textual format and had been implemented and somehow evaluated. Among the strategies evaluated and appearing to yield some benefit are (i) risk/benefit communication: natural frequencies instead of percentages, absolute risk instead relative risk and number needed to treat, numerical instead nominal communication, mortality instead survival; negative or loss content appear to be more effective than positive or gain content; (ii) evidence synthesis: plain languages summaries to communicate the results of Cochrane reviews to the community were perceived as more reliable, easier to find and understand, and better to support decisions than the original summaries; (iii) teaching/learning: the Informed Health Choices resources seem to be effective for improving critical thinking skills. CONCLUSION Our findings contribute to both the knowledge translation process by identifying communication strategies with potential for immediate implementation and to future research by recognizing the need to evaluate the clinical and social impact of other strategies to support evidence-informed policies. Trial registration protocol is prospectively available in MedArxiv (doi.org/10.1101/2021.11.04.21265922).
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel Riera
- Hospital Sírio-Libanês, Rua Barata Ribeiro, 142, 2O andar, São Paulo, SP, 01308-000, Brazil
- Universidade Federal de São Paulo (Unifesp), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Carolina de Oliveira Cruz Latorraca
- Hospital Sírio-Libanês, Rua Barata Ribeiro, 142, 2O andar, São Paulo, SP, 01308-000, Brazil
- Universidade Federal de São Paulo (Unifesp), São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Rafael Leite Pacheco
- Hospital Sírio-Libanês, Rua Barata Ribeiro, 142, 2O andar, São Paulo, SP, 01308-000, Brazil.
- Universidade Federal de São Paulo (Unifesp), São Paulo, Brazil.
| | - Davi Mamblona Marques Romão
- Hospital Sírio-Libanês, Rua Barata Ribeiro, 142, 2O andar, São Paulo, SP, 01308-000, Brazil
- Instituto Veredas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Jorge Otávio Maia Barreto
- Hospital Sírio-Libanês, Rua Barata Ribeiro, 142, 2O andar, São Paulo, SP, 01308-000, Brazil
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Brasília, Brazil
| | - Maria Lúcia Teixeira Machado
- Hospital Sírio-Libanês, Rua Barata Ribeiro, 142, 2O andar, São Paulo, SP, 01308-000, Brazil
- Universidade Federal de São Carlos, São Carlos, Brazil
| | - Romeu Gomes
- Hospital Sírio-Libanês, Rua Barata Ribeiro, 142, 2O andar, São Paulo, SP, 01308-000, Brazil
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Brasília, Brazil
| | | | - Ana Luiza Cabrera Martimbianco
- Hospital Sírio-Libanês, Rua Barata Ribeiro, 142, 2O andar, São Paulo, SP, 01308-000, Brazil
- Universidade Metropolitna de Santo (Unimes), Santos, Brazil
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Klein WMP. Behavioral medicine, cancer control, and NCI: reflections on a fruitful past and auspicious future. Transl Behav Med 2021; 11:2065-2069. [PMID: 34850930 DOI: 10.1093/tbm/ibab131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer prevention and control has benefited substantially from behavioral medicine research over the last several decades. The National Cancer Institute's (NCI) Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences, ably led by Barbara Rimer and then Bob Croyle since being established in 1997, has been a primary supporter of this research. NCI has made significant investments in many of the topics featured in this special section and will continue to do so. These include research on basic behavioral processes such as affect as well as optimal approaches to health communication. A key and enduring focus has been the support of behavioral interventions, particularly for tobacco, diet, physical activity, and sun exposure. The success of such interventions will be amplified to the extent that they leverage novel research designs, emerging digital technologies, evidence gleaned from the burgeoning field of implementation science, and lessons learned from greater attention to the impact of health disparities and inequities. Moreover, as the cancer survivor population continues to grow given the rapid development of diagnostic and therapeutic science, it will be even more essential to devote attention to understanding and addressing the health care and other needs of survivors such as cognitive dysfunction and financial toxicity. The field of behavioral medicine should be both applauded for its many contributions to reducing the cancer burden and encouraged to continue developing new research ideas in these critical areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- William M P Klein
- Behavioral Research Program, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
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Schmitz KH, Gehlert S, Patterson RE, Colditz GA, Chavarro JE, Hu FB, Neuhouser ML, Sturgeon KM, Thornquist M, Tobias D, Nebeling LC. TREC to WHERE? Transdisciplinary Research on Energetics and Cancer. Clin Cancer Res 2016; 22:1565-71. [PMID: 26792261 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-14-1214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2014] [Accepted: 10/21/2015] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
When information is exchanged across disciplinary boundaries, resources are shared, and discipline-specific approaches are altered to achieve a common scientific goal, we create a new intellectual space for transdisciplinary research. This approach, fostered heavily by multiple NCI-funded initiatives, has the potential to forge new understanding of major public health issues. By breaking down disciplinary barriers, we work toward making real, meaningful, and lasting forward motion in addressing key public health issues. One of the transdisciplinary initiatives of the NCI is TREC: Transdisciplinary Research on Energetics and Cancer. In this article, we review the goals and scope of TREC, as well as the ways in which the initiative promotes transdisciplinary science. A particular focus is on multiple examples of the most unique aspect of the initiative: the funding of developmental projects across multiple TREC centers, toward the goal of incubating high-risk science that has the potential to translate into major leaps forward in understanding energetics in cancer. As we enter an era of greater focus on investigator-initiated science, new approaches may be needed to ensure that the peer review process is not solely organized along disciplinary lines. Inclusion of expertise regarding transdisciplinarity, as well as representation from multiple scientific disciplines within a panel, may allow transdisciplinary research to receive an educated hearing. The body of researchers trained to work in a transdisciplinary research space is ideally suited to address these challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn H Schmitz
- Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
| | - Sarah Gehlert
- Siteman Cancer Center, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Ruth E Patterson
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California at San Diego, San Diego, California
| | - Graham A Colditz
- Siteman Cancer Center, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Jorge E Chavarro
- Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Frank B Hu
- Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts
| | | | - Kathleen M Sturgeon
- Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | | | - Deirdre Tobias
- Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts
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Kreuter MW, McBride TD, Caburnay CA, Poor T, Thompson VLS, Alcaraz KI, Eddens KS, Rath S, Perkins H, Casey C. What can health communication science offer for ACA implementation? Five evidence-informed strategies for expanding Medicaid enrollment. Milbank Q 2014; 92:40-62. [PMID: 24597555 DOI: 10.1111/1468-0009.12040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
CONTEXT Implementing the Affordable Care Act (ACA) in 2014 will require effective enrollment and outreach efforts to previously uninsured individuals now eligible for coverage. METHODS From 1996 to 2013, the Health Communication Research Laboratory conducted more than 40 original studies with more than 30,000 participants to learn how to improve the reach to and effectiveness of health information for low-income and racial/ethnic minority populations. We synthesized the findings from this body of research and used them to inform current challenges in implementing the ACA. FINDINGS We found empirical support for 5 recommendations regarding partnerships, outreach, messages and messengers, life priorities of low-income individuals and families, and the information environment. We translated these into 12 action steps. CONCLUSIONS Health communication science can inform the development and execution of strategies to increase the public's understanding of the ACA and to support the enrollment of eligible individuals into Medicaid or the Health Insurance Marketplace.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew W Kreuter
- Health Communication Research Laboratory, Washington University in St. Louis; Brown School of Social Work, Washington University in St. Louis
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Klein WMP, Bloch M, Hesse BW, McDonald PG, Nebeling L, O'Connell ME, Riley WT, Taplin SH, Tesauro G. Behavioral research in cancer prevention and control: a look to the future. Am J Prev Med 2014; 46:303-11. [PMID: 24512871 PMCID: PMC3921666 DOI: 10.1016/j.amepre.2013.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2013] [Revised: 09/16/2013] [Accepted: 10/07/2013] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Human behavior is central to the etiology and management of cancer outcomes and presents several avenues for targeted and sustained intervention. Psychosocial experiences such as stress and health behaviors including tobacco use, sun exposure, poor diet, and a sedentary lifestyle increase the risk of some cancers yet are often quite resistant to change. Cancer screening and other health services are misunderstood and over-utilized, and vaccination underutilized, in part because of the avalanche of information about cancer prevention. Coordination of cancer care is suboptimal, and only a small fraction of cancer patients enroll in clinical trials essential to the development of new cancer treatments. A growing population of cancer survivors has necessitated a fresh view of cancer as a chronic rather than acute disease. Fortunately, behavioral research can address a wide variety of key processes and outcomes across the cancer control continuum from prevention to end-of-life care. Here we consider effects at the biobehavioral and psychological, social and organizational, and environmental levels. We challenge the research community to address key behavioral targets across all levels of influence, while taking into account the many new methodological tools that can facilitate this important work.
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Affiliation(s)
- William M P Klein
- Behavioral Research Program, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, Maryland.
| | - Michele Bloch
- Behavioral Research Program, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, Maryland
| | - Bradford W Hesse
- Behavioral Research Program, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, Maryland
| | - Paige G McDonald
- Behavioral Research Program, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, Maryland
| | - Linda Nebeling
- Behavioral Research Program, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, Maryland
| | - Mary E O'Connell
- Behavioral Research Program, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, Maryland
| | - William T Riley
- Behavioral Research Program, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, Maryland
| | - Stephen H Taplin
- Behavioral Research Program, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, Maryland
| | - Gina Tesauro
- Behavioral Research Program, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, Maryland
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Mitchell JK, Leslie KS. Melanoma death prevention: moving away from the sun. J Am Acad Dermatol 2013; 68:e169-75. [PMID: 23545369 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaad.2012.09.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2012] [Revised: 09/17/2012] [Accepted: 09/21/2012] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
This evidence-backed editorial addresses the limitations of solely primary prevention campaigns and outlines the proven efficacy of early detection/secondary prevention strategies with respect to melanoma. It synthesizes experience from several outreach efforts that have resulted in sustained improvements in knowledge and self-skin examination behaviors. Data demonstrate that educational campaigns emphasizing increased knowledge about melanoma and self-screening practices correlate with thinner tumors. The editorial also confronts the lack of data around skin cancer screening per the US Preventative Services Task Force. It explains how we might address the issue to obtain solid evidence to back a recommendation for screening of high-risk populations in the future. Cost-efficacy of skin cancer screening is also addressed. Lastly, lessons learned from other cancers, particularly breast cancer, with respect to successful educational campaign creation and development of an effective cause marketing campaign for advocacy are discussed. Hypothetical ideas for a screening algorithm and for educational/media campaigns are presented with the hope of triggering thoughtful discussion and forward momentum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeanette Kamell Mitchell
- Department of Dermatology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA.
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