Community Outreach, Engagement, and Equity

Our mission is to reduce the burden of cancer and promote health equity in the Duke Cancer Institute catchment area and beyond. We will do this by:

Engaging meaningfully, respectfully, and collaboratively with our community partners.
Disseminating and implementing evidence-based strategies and policies.
Developing strong partnerships between our communities and scientists to make novel discoveries.

Goals and Aims

Discover

Study the nature, scope, and severity of multi-level contributors to cancer health disparities
Analyze DCI patients and catchment area data by NC county.
Examine key disparity drivers: societal, social, neighborhood, institutional, and ancestry-related biology.
Examine key risk factors:
- Molecular
- Social
- Epidemiologic
- Environmental, policy
- Determine why certain cancers affect some communities and groups more than others.
Test and implement community-based interventions that promote cancer health equity.
Increase diversity in biobanking and clinical trials.
Increase community engagement in research and community health.
Identify gaps and needs for recommended cancer screenings.

Disseminate

Increase awareness through community outreach activities and education.
Provide multi-directional education to the community, scientists, and policymakers.
Develop local and culturally appropriate solutions to health equity challenges.

Impact

Build and sustain partnerships to develop culturally appropriate interventions to reduce cancer disparities.
Reduce known cancer risk factors.
Increase screening and early detection.
Remove barriers to recommended cancer screenings, diagnostic testing, genetic/genomic testing, care, and clinical trials.
Improve access to primary care, cancer treatment, and post-treatment supportive care.

Among oncology patients, about 0-60% come from central North Carolina and up to 90% come from more than 250 miles away.

Our Patient Population – DCI Catchment Area

Most Duke Cancer Institute patients are from Durham, Wake, and Orange counties in North Carolina. The DCI catchment area includes the following counties in North Carolina, Virginia, and South Carolina. About 15 to 25% of patients live further than 200 miles from Durham, NC.

67 North Carolina Counties

Alamance, Alexander, Alleghany, Anson, Beaufort, Bertie, Bladen, Cabarrus, Caswell, Catawba, Chatham, Chowan, Columbus, Craven, Cumberland, Davidson, Davie, Duplin, Durham, Edgecombe, Forsyth, Franklin, Gates, Granville, Greene, Guilford. Halifax, Harnett, Hertford, Hoke, Iredell, Johnston, Jones, Lee, Lenoir, Lincoln, Martin, Mecklenburg, Montgomery, Moore, Nash, New Hanover, Northampton, Onslow, Orange, Pamlico, Pender, Person, Pitt, Randolph, Richmond, Robeson, Rockingham, Rowan, Sampson, Scotland, Stanly, Stokes, Surry, Union, Vance, Wake, Warren, Wayne, Wilkes, Wilson, Yadkin

31 Virginia Counties

Wythe, Carroll, Pulaski, Giles, Montgomery, Floyd, Patrick, Henry, Franklin, Roanoke, Botetourt, Bedford, Pittsylvania, Campbell, Halifax, Charlotte, Mecklenburg, Lunenburg, Prince Edward, Brunswick, Buckingham, Fluvanna, Greensville, Nottoway, Amelia, Dinwiddie, Sussex, Southampton, Prince George, Chesterfield, and Henrico.

6 South Carolina Counties

Lancaster, Darlington, Marion, Marlboro, Dillon, and Chesterfield

Patient Demographics

Our diverse patient population includes:

62% non-Hispanic White 2
24% Non-Hispanic Black
8% Hispanic
2% Asian
2% Other
1% Native

Social Detriments of Health

25% are families with an annual household income of less than $25,000.

16% have less than a 12th-grade education.
22% live in rural areas.
78% live in urban areas.

Southeastern American Indian Cancer Health Equity Partnership (SAICEP)

The Southeastern American Indian Cancer Health Equity Partnership focuses on understanding and addressing the cancer-related health needs of American Indian communities in our catchment area and beyond. It is a unique collaboration initiated by the Community Outreach and Engagement teams at the Duke Cancer Institute, UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, and Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Comprehensive Cancer Center. Learn more.

SAICEP Leadership

Tomi Akinyemiju
Associate Director, Community Outreach, Engagement, and Equity
Duke Cancer Institute

Stephanie Wheeler
Associate Director of Community Outreach and Engagement
UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center

Consultations

Contact us for a consultation to provide information and assistance on the best approaches to recruit groups that have been historically underrepresented in cancer research and who experience significant health disparities in North Carolina. These groups include but are not limited to: LGBTQ communities, people with disabilities, African Americans, rural populations, American Indians, Asian populations, Latinx groups, and those in the most vulnerable age categories: children and older adults.

To request a consultation or for additional questions, email us at DCICOEE@duke.edu.

Contact Us

To help us better understand your needs, please complete the following questions and provide a brief description of your project. This intake form should take no longer than 5 minutes to complete. You can also email us at DCICOEE@duke.edu.

Learn More About What We Do

Read our latest quarterly newsletters.

The Office of Health Equity is part of the DCI’s Community Outreach, Engagement, and Equity (COEE) program. Since 2012, it has been firmly committed to diversity, inclusion, and reducing cancer disparities facing historically underserved populations.

The Office of Health Equity spearheads in-person and virtual outreach efforts to educate historically marginalized and underserved communities throughout Duke Cancer Institute’s catchment area about the importance of routine care, which includes regular health screenings to detect and manage chronic illnesses and prevent cancer. We also connect people with a cancer diagnosis to the most appropriate healthcare facility for treatment. Our programs include screening events and attendance at health fairs.

DCI-OfficeofHealthEquity@dm.duke.edu

Phone: 919-684-0409

Patient Navigation Services

Our patient navigators are trained to work closely with people in the community before and when a cancer-related concern becomes known. Their services include:

Bilingual education on cancer prevention, risk factors, and screening guidelines.
Connecting people with recommended cancer screenings, treatment needs, and finding a primary care provider or medical home.
Helping people find financial assistance for needed cancer-related medical care.
Directing people to healthcare services for further diagnosis and referral for treatment navigation.
Keep track of and help people get to their medical appointments.
Coordinate care with people’s medical teams.

The patient navigators serve everyone in the community regardless of insurance or documentation status.

In-Person and Virtual Community Events

The Office of Health Equity organizes free prevention and screening events and participates in community events, health fairs, and church gatherings to connect with people from historically underserved populations. Our team distributes information in person and virtually to increase awareness about the risks of cancer and help people in these communities find ways to overcome barriers such as not having health insurance.

Men’s Health Screening and Awareness Event

Each year, OHE partners with Duke Primary Care-Croasdaile, and Lincoln Community Health Center (a local federally qualified health center), to host a free Men's Health Screening and Awareness event aimed at improving the health outcomes of men in the community. Taking place the first weekend of June, the event offers screenings for prostate, skin, and colon cancers, as well as lung cancer risk assessments. Educational resources and assessments for chronic health conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, and HIV/Hepatitis C are also provided.

Patient navigators work with participants who receive abnormal test or screening results and concerning findings to help address health concerns by connecting them with accessible, comprehensive, and high-quality primary and specialty care, health education resources, and/or additional patient navigation services. Learn more about Men's Health Screening.

Women’s Health Awareness Day

The Office of Health Equity provides cancer education and screenings during Women’s Health Awareness Day, an annual conference typically held in April that aims to increase awareness and knowledge among women to help promote better health.

The Office of Health Equity cancer education sessions feature experts and cancer survivors who provide women with information about cancer risk factors, prevention, relevant and recommended screening guidelines, and helpful information related to a survivor’s personal journey with cancer. The cancer screening room generally includes multiple recommended cancer screening and patient navigation services to follow up on any abnormal or concerning findings.

The health conference is sponsored by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), the Durham Alumnae Chapter of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., the Durham Alumnae Delta House, Inc., and the Public Health Education Department at North Carolina Central University (NCCU).

Community Health Ambassador Program – Virtual Training

The Office of Health Equity team members provide virtual trainings for leaders in faith and community organizations to teach them how to spread the word about preventing and screening for cancer, hypertension, and diabetes. The leaders also learn how to set up a health advocacy team or health ministry within their own organization. So far, the program has reached more than 50 organizations in 40 North Carolina counties.

The office has worked with the trained Community Health Ambassadors to develop programs for their specific communities. For example, we coordinated virtual events providing information on specific types of cancers to include a Spanish-language Facebook Live event organized with the Mexican Consulate in Raleigh which drew 469 participants.

DCI Office of Health Equity's community-facing patient navigators meet members of the community at a health event. Left to right: Dalia Antunez, Kimberly Bradsher, and LaSonia Barnett.

DCI Office of Health Equity's community-facing patient navigators lead the Community Health Ambassador Program. Left to right: Dalia Antunez, Kimberly Bradsher, and LaSonia Barnett.

The office assists DCI scientists in refining research ideas and proposals to promote the principles of community engagement and assist with finding collaborators and partners who can contribute to ongoing studies. The office does so by:

Providing Feedback

On recruitment, retention, and community engagement.
From community advisory council members on research proposals, or projects.

Facilitating Connections

We help identify collaborators or community partners.
We assist in outreach to diverse populations for recruitment and retention.
We encourage participation in COEE events to generate new ideas and collaborations.

Supporting Evidence

Epidemiologic data on the burden of cancer in our catchment area.
Description of DCI catchment area demographics and SDOH.
Language on COEE, CAC, and community partner resources for proposals.

Pilot Funding

DCI community-engaged research pilot grants.

DIRECT Program

The DIRECT (Diversifying Research and Experiential Learning in Cancer Training) Fellowship program promotes cancer research equity among minority trainees through mentorship, professional development, and science communication. The 12-month applied research opportunity aims to create a diverse, innovative, and impactful experience in the cancer research workforce.

Learn More

Community Outreach and Engagement Foundational Training Modules

Access Module 1 CITI Training

Go to your CITI member page and click on “View Courses” next to Duke Health.
Scroll down and click “Add a Course."
Select “Community-Engaged and Community-Based Participatory Research.” Click Next. The course will be added to your queue.

Access Module 2 LMS Training

Go to Duke LMS site and search for the offering ID: 00169473. The following course details will be made available : Name: Duke Cancer Institute COEE Foundational Training: Duke Hospital and Durham History Course ID: COEE_HISTORY_03072022 Offering ID: 00169473
Click “Register” underneath the course details to register for the course. The course will then be added for you to complete under ‘My learning"

Community Health Event Planning

Duke employees and learners who wish to conduct or provide service in a community health activity must complete a request form and complete training provided by the Duke Department of Community and Family Medicine.

Community Health Training

CREST Dashboard

The CREST Dashboard is a comprehensive, multilevel data warehouse that facilitates the evaluation of the cancer burden and disparities in the DCI catchment area. CREST integrates data from the Duke Cancer Registry, Duke EHR, state cancer registries (NC, SC, VA), and contextual measures of social determinants of health. CREST enables DCI scientists to identify areas in need of targeted efforts to eliminate health disparities, advance cancer health equity, and reduce the burden of cancer in our catchment area and beyond

Specific Aims

Curate Duke Cancer Institute patient data to understand the needs of our patient population.
Analyze NC Cancer Registry data to identify the burden of cancer in our catchment area and in NC.
Examine the impact of social determinants of health in cancer outcomes in catchment area and NC.
Examine the prevalence and trends in key cancer risk factors in catchment area and NC.
Be responsive to data needs and requests from community partners and DCI investigators using CREST infrastructure to interrogate cancer data in NC and/or catchment area.

Access the CREST Dashboard

You must be logged into the DHS VPN to access the Dashboard.

New Users

Please review and complete the COEE Foundation Training on LMS for context to the data presented in the dashboard. Once completed, request access to the CREST dashboard.

Feedback Survey

Please complete our survey to let us know what can be improved in the dashboard.

CREST FAQs

Read answers to frequently asked questions about the CREST dashboard.

Read the FAQ

Duke Cancer Institute