The University of Alabama at Birmingham Breast and Cervical Cancer Coalition

A Good Idea

This practice has been Archived and is no longer maintained.

Description

The University of Alabama at Birmingham Breast and Cervical Cancer Coalition involves a variety of community-based, religious, grassroots, and health care organizations that serve the target population. The community action plan is designed to reduce disparities in breast and cervical cancer screening and outcomes between African American and white women through the use of community advisors. Core working groups of community health advisors, nurses, and church representatives disseminate information to support, encourage, and help women obtain cancer screening services and navigate the health care system. This approach is based on the Multilevel Approach Toward Community Health (MATCH) framework. Using health advisors, MATCH seeks to eliminate barriers that women face when trying to access health services.

Goal / Mission

The goal of this program is to reduce disparities in breast and cervical cancer screening and outcomes between African American and white women through the use of community advisors.

Results / Accomplishments

Using community-based health advisors as agents for behavioral change lends credibility to interventions to reduce the risk for breast and cervical cancer and increases the reach of the program in the community. This approach can extend lifesaving prevention programs and screening services across cultural divides to communities that would not likely be reached by traditional means.

About this Promising Practice

Organization(s)
The University of Alabama at Birmingham Breast and Cervical Cancer Coalition
Primary Contact
University of Alabama
1717 11th Avenue South #728
Birmingham, Alabama 35294-4410
(205) 934-4307
Topics
Health / Cancer
Health / Women's Health
Health / Prevention & Safety
Organization(s)
The University of Alabama at Birmingham Breast and Cervical Cancer Coalition
Source
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: Steps to a Healthier U.S.
Date of publication
2003
Location
Birmingham, AL
Target Audience
Women, Racial/Ethnic Minorities