Impact of Cancer Coalitions on Colorectal Cancer Awareness in Rural Appalachia
Author Information
Author(s): Ward Ann J, Coffey Kluhsman Brenda, Lengerich Eugene J, Piccinin Andrea M
Primary Institution: Pennsylvania State University
Hypothesis
Organizations that received campaign materials directly from a coalition would have greater participation and interest in disseminating the materials than community organizations that received the materials from a university.
Conclusion
Community cancer coalitions can increase the local dissemination of material from a national media campaign in rural Appalachia.
Supporting Evidence
- 29% of organizations in the coalition arm participated compared to 8% in the noncoalition arm.
- 66% of organizations in the coalition arm reported being influenced to participate by the local coalition.
- Initial interest in dissemination was higher in the coalition arm throughout the study.
Takeaway
This study shows that community groups can help spread important cancer information better when they work together with local coalitions.
Methodology
A two-arm intervention design with random selection of 450 community organizations from counties with and without cancer coalitions.
Potential Biases
Participation may have been biased toward coalition-friendly organizations, potentially overestimating the coalition effect.
Limitations
The overall participation rate was low at 19%, and the study was limited to rural Appalachian counties in Pennsylvania and New York.
Participant Demographics
Organizations included civic, health care, aging, business, and religious types, with varying previous experience in cancer control.
Statistical Information
P-Value
<0.001
Statistical Significance
p<0.001
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