Coalition Workgroups and Initiatives

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Executive Summary of the Camden City Cancer Initiative 2006-2007

Introduction: In an effort to eliminate the unequal burden of cancer among Camden City residents, the American Cancer Society partnered with Cooper University Hospital, Virtua Health, Our Lady of Lourdes Medical Center, Camden City Government, Camden County Cancer Coalition and several other leaders to launch the Camden City Cancer Initiative in February 2006.  Through collaborative efforts, the Camden City Cancer Initiative (3CI) achieved success in establishing partnerships and combining resources to increase awareness of and screenings for cancer of the first 18 months of the initiative

Background: Data suggest the Black and Hispanic communities in Camden City bear a disproportionate burden of poor health, particularly cancer, due to a wide range of complex circumstances involving poverty, little or no health insurance, and access barriers-i.e. low literacy, English as second language, and cultural beliefs. For all types of cancer, men in Camden City had a 20% higher incidence rate than men in the County (1998-20021). As a City that is 53% African American and 38.7% Hispanic, the high cancer incidence rate for prostate cancer (210.4) compared to Camden County men (179.8), demonstrates the disparities in health for minority groups (Rates are reported per 100,00 population). The most commonly diagnosed cancers among women in Camden City (1998-2002) were breast, cervical, lung and colorectal cancers. Women in Camden City, the majority of whom are African American or Hispanic, have a 58% higher rate of invasive cervical cancer than women in the County. Women in the City also had higher rates of colorectal and lung cancers than did women in the county.

Methods: The American Cancer Society invited stakeholders in Camden City to join the Camden City Cancer Initiative (3CI). Many of these stakeholders became members of the Camden City Cancer Initiative Leadership Council (3CI-LC). Serving as a steering body, the 3CI-LC was charged to collaborate with existing community groups to develop, implement and evaluate a strategic plan to increase cancer screenings in the City. Two committees were formed and charged with implementing the strategies of the Initiative: 1) Eliminating Health Disparities and 2) Worksite Wellness. The goal of the Eliminating Health Disparities Committee was to increase cancer screening among the medically underserved populations via a partnership with the New Jersey Cancer Education and Early Detection (NJCEED) program. The NJCEED program offers free breast, cervical, colorectal and prostate cancer screening to women and men that meet program eligibility requirements. The goal of the Worksite Wellness Committee was to increase cancer screening among employees at select worksites in Camden City. It is estimated that about 20-25% of people with health insurance are not appropriately screened for cancer. An assessment was used to gather baseline data about the cancer screening behaviors of employees at select worksites.

Summary/Conclusion: During the past 18 months, a strategic plan to reduce the unequal cancer burden in Camden City has been established. This report documents the successes, challenges and the opportunity to continue toward the strategic directions of the Initiative. Many leaders have agreed to continue working on the Initiative, and we anticipate continued success.

Letter_for_City_for_3CI_2007.doc