BACKGROUND:The decrease in colorectal cancer (CRC) mortality over the past 2 decades is largely attributed to increased screening. This progress has not been evenly distributed across populations. Individuals who seek care at federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) have low CRC screening prevalence. This study aims to assess the effectiveness and cost of interventions to increase CRC screening at FQHCs, by using fecal immunochemical tests (FIT). METHODS:The authors evaluated changes in FIT screening uptake in eight FQHCs that participated in the Colorectal Cancer Control Program (CRCCP) before and after the multicomponent evidence-based interventions were implemented. Examples of interventions included patient reminders, provider assessment and feedback, and patient navigation. They collected the labor and nonlabor cost of implementing the interventions. Furthermore, they used a validated microsimulation model to assess the long-term cost-effectiveness of the interventions. RESULTS:All eight FQHCs showed increases in CRC screening following the implementation of the multicomponent interventions, with an average increase of 14.4 percentage points (range, 4.9-26.7) and an average intervention cost of $14.40 per person (range, $5.76-$34.70). In five of the eight FQHCs, the interventions resulted in cost savings when public payer costs were considered. In the remaining three FQHCs, the cost per life years saved ranged from $14,898 to $54,111. CONCLUSIONS:Multicomponent interventions to increase the use of FIT kits represent an effective and efficient strategy for increasing CRC screening uptake in FQHCs.
Introduction:The objective of this analysis was to provide national estimates for use of breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer (CRC) screening tests, including for the recently expanded CRC screening age group (ages 45-75 y). Methods:We used data from the 2023 National Health Interview Survey to estimate proportions of screening-eligible adults up to date with breast (women aged 50-74 y), cervical (women aged 21-65 y), and CRC screening (adults aged 45-75 y). We compared breast and CRC estimates age-standardized to the 2000 US standard population to Healthy People 2030 (HP2030) targets. Age-standardized estimates of breast, cervical, and CRC test use were compared with estimates from 2019 (breast, cervical) and 2021 (breast, cervical, CRC). Results:In 2023, estimated percentages of adults up to date were 80.0% (95% CI, 78.7%-81.2%), 75.4% (95% CI, 74.1%-76.6%), and 67.4% (95% CI, 66.3%-68.4%), for breast, cervical, and CRC screening test use, respectively. CRC test use was lower among those aged 45 to 49 years than those aged 50 to 75 years (37.1% vs 73.4%, P < .001). Mammography use approximated the HP2030 target. CRC test use was below the target. Breast, cervical, and CRC screening test use varied with almost all sociodemographic characteristics and health care access, financial hardship, and other barriers examined. Mammography estimates were somewhat higher and cervical test estimates were lower in 2023 than in 2019 and 2021. CRC test use was lower in 2023 than 2021. Conclusion:In 2023, most adults were up to date with breast, cervical, and CRC screening test use; however, 1 in 3 adults (CRC) to 1 in 5 adults (breast) were not. Future monitoring can help determine if changes continue and track progress toward national targets.
The Colorectal Cancer Control Program (CRCCP) aimed to increase colorectal cancer (CRC) screening among U.S. medically underserved populations through promotion and provision of CRC screening. We used simulation modeling to estimate the lifelong health impact and program cost-effectiveness of direct screening services, typically a single cycle of routine screening/follow-up testing provided through the CRCCP (“intervention”). Data for this study were from CDC’s Colorectal Clinical Data Elements (CCDE), which captured screening and follow-up services received from CRCCP between 2009 and 2020. We used microsimulation to model the evolution of polyps and CRC for average-risk individuals in intervention and “counterfactual” (control) groups, under multiple scenarios. We calculated and compared lifetime CRC outcomes (cases, deaths, life-years) for individuals with and without the CRCCP intervention. Clinical and implementation costs incurred by the CRCCP were used to estimate programmatic/intervention costs. Results are reported overall and by initial screening modality received (colonoscopy or stool testing) and assumed lower vs. higher “background” (non-intervention) screening scenarios. With conservative assumptions, our findings suggest that CRCCP-provided screening averted 806 CRC cases, avoided 392 CRC deaths, and added 5,368 life-years per 100,000 individuals vs. no intervention. Cost-effectiveness analysis revealed that the program’s cost per life-year gained varied by screening modality and scenario assumptions—ranging from 25,740 to27,583 for colonoscopy screening and 70,410 to75,979 for stool testing. CRCCP-provided screening/testing services were found to produce substantial potential health gains. Our analysis estimates the cost-effectiveness of providing one cycle of screening/testing to medically underserved individuals to inform programmatic decisions.
Colorectal cancer (CRC) screening allows for early detection and prevention through removal of polyps. In 2021, the US Preventive Services Task Force updated recommendations to screen adults aged 45 to 75 years. We analyzed 2022 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data to establish baseline prevalence estimates for those eligible for screening aged 45 to 75, including those aged 45 to 49 years who are newly eligible. Only 61.4% of adults aged 45 to 75 were up to date with CRC screening, below the Healthy People 2030 target (72.8%). Public health and clinical systems can prioritize identifying and screening adults not up to date on screening to reduce CRC risk.
BACKGROUND:This report represents a collaborative effort by the major cancer surveillance organizations to present the definitive US statistics for cancer incidence and mortality. METHODS:Cancer incidence data were obtained from population-based cancer registries funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Cancer Institute and compiled by the North American Association of Central Cancer Registries. Cancer death data were obtained from the National Center for Health Statistics' National Vital Statistics System. Statistics are reported by cancer type, sex, race and ethnicity, and age. The potential impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on incidence was assessed by using state-level changes compared with previous years, the stringency of COVID-19 policy restrictions, the magnitude of COVID-19 death rates, and changes in the use of mammography. RESULTS:Overall cancer incidence rates per 100,000 were 500 among males and 437 among females. Excluding 2020, cancer incidence rates remained stable (2013-2021) among males and increased 0.3% per year on average (2003-2021) among females. The overall cancer death rate per 100,000 was 173 among males and 126 among females. Cancer death rates decreased by 1.5% per year (2018-2022), slowing from a previous 2.1% decline. Cancer incidence in 2020 declined from prepandemic levels for all demographic groups examined. However, the magnitude of decline was not strongly associated with the study's proxies for health care capacity, health care access, or COVID-19 policies. CONCLUSIONS:Overall cancer mortality declined over 20 years, even during the COVID-19 pandemic. Disruptions in health care use early in the pandemic resulted in incidence declines in 2020, but 2021 incidence returned to prepandemic levels.
Background: Cancer-associated venous thromboembolism (CA-VTE) represents a major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with cancer. Despite poor outcomes, there is an ongoing knowledge gap in epidemiologic data related to this association. Objectives: To compare venous thromboembolism (VTE) characteristics, risk factors, and outcomes between patients with and without active cancer in a racially diverse population. Methods: Our surveillance project occurred at the 3 hospitals in Durham County, North Carolina, from April 2012 through March 2014. Electronic and manual methods were used to identify unique Durham County residents with VTE. Results: We identified 987 patients with VTE during the surveillance period. Of these, 189 patients had active cancer at the time of their VTE event. Patients with CA-VTE were older (median age: 69 years vs 60 years, P < .0001) and had a lower body mass index (median body mass index: 26.0 kg/m(2) vs 28.4 kg/m(2), P = .0001) than noncancer patients. The most common cancers in our cohort were gastrointestinal, breast, genitourinary, and lung. The proportion of VTE cases with pulmonary embolism (PE) was greater in the cancer cohort compared with that in the noncancer cohort (58.2% vs 44.0%, P = .0004). Overall survival was lower in the CA-VTE group than in patients without cancer (P < .0001). Black patients with CA-VTE had lower proportion of PE (52.3% vs 67.1%, P = .05) but had decreased survival (P < .0003) in comparison with White patients. Conclusion: Future studies may be needed to continue to evaluate local and national VTE data to improve VTE prevention strategies and CA-VTE outcomes.
Introduction: The National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP) observed significant declines in screening volume early in the COVID-19 pandemic, January–June 2020, with variation by race/ethnicity and geography. We aimed to determine how screening in the NBCCEDP recovered from these early declines as it is important for monitoring the long-term impact on women served by the program. Methods: Extending the previous analyses, we compared monthly breast (BC) and cervical cancer (CVC) screening volume in the NBCCEDP during 2020–2022, to five-year, pre-COVID-19 pandemic averages (2015–2019), and calculated percent change. Results were stratified by race/ethnicity and rurality groups. We employed multiple one-way ANOVA tests, which included multiple comparisons, to test for significant differences between groups. Results: By December 2022, NBCCEDP breast and cervical cancer screening volumes had not fully recovered to pre-COVID-19 5-year averages, and recovery in breast cancer screening volume was slower than that of cervical cancer. Both BC and CVC screening among women in metro areas showed the smallest average monthly deficits (−8.8% BC and −4.9% CVC) compared to monthly pre-COVID-19 pandemic 5-year averages, and screening among women in rural areas showed the greatest deficits (−37.3% BC and −26.7% CVC). BC and CVC screening among Hispanic women showed the greatest improvements compared to the pre-COVID-19 averages (8.2% BC and 9.5% CVC), and cervical cancer screening among non-Hispanic Asian and Pacific Islander women showed the greatest deficits (−41.4% CVC). Conclusion: For increased intervention efforts, NBCCEDP recipients can focus on populations demonstrating greatest deficits in screening volume.
Introduction:Approximately 40,000 U.S. women die from breast cancer each year. Mammography is recommended to screen for breast cancer and reduce breast cancer mortality. Adverse social determinants of heath (SDOH) and health-related social needs (HRSNs) (e.g., lack of transportation and social isolation) can be barriers to getting mammograms.Methods:Data from the 2022 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System were analyzed to estimate the prevalence of mammography use within the previous 2 years among women aged 40-74 years by jurisdiction, age group, and sociodemographic factors. The association between mammography use and measures of SDOH and HRSNs was assessed for jurisdictions that administered the Social Determinants and Health Equity module.Results:Among women aged 50-74 years, state-level mammography use ranged from 64.0% to 85.5%. Having health insurance and a personal health care provider were associated with having had a mammogram within the previous 2 years. Among women aged 50-74 years, mammography prevalence was 83.2% for those with no adverse SDOH and HRSNs and 65.7% for those with three or more adverse SDOH and HRSNs. Life dissatisfaction, feeling socially isolated, experiencing lost or reduced hours of employment, receiving food stamps, lacking reliable transportation, and reporting cost as a barrier for access to care were all strongly associated with not having had a mammogram within the previous 2 years.Conclusions and Implications for Public Health Practice:Identifying specific adverse SDOH and HRSNs that women experience and coordinating activities among health care providers, social services, community organizations, and public health programs to provide services that help address these needs might increase mammography use and ultimately decrease breast cancer deaths.
BACKGROUND:Standardization of procedures for data abstraction by cancer registries is fundamental for cancer surveillance, clinical and policy decision-making, hospital benchmarking, and research efforts. The objective of the current study was to evaluate adherence to the four components (completeness, comparability, timeliness, and validity) defined by Bray and Parkin that determine registries' ability to carry out these activities to the hospital-based National Cancer Database (NCDB). METHODS:Tbis study used data from U.S. Cancer Statistics, the official federal cancer statistics and joint effort between the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Cancer Institute (NCI), which includes data from National Program of Cancer Registries (NPCR) and Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) to evaluate NCDB completeness between 2016 and 2020. The study evaluated comparability of case identification and coding procedures. It used Commission on Cancer (CoC) standards from 2022 to assess timeliness and validity. RESULTS:Completeness was demonstrated with a total of 6,828,507 cases identified within the NCDB, representing 73.7% of all cancer cases nationwide. Comparability was followed using standardized and international guidelines on coding and classification procedures. For timeliness, hospital compliance with timely data submission was 92.7%. Validity criteria for re-abstracting, recording, and reliability procedures across hospitals demonstrated 94.2% compliance. Additionally, data validity was shown by a 99.1% compliance with histologic verification standards, a 93.6% assessment of pathologic synoptic reporting, and a 99.1% internal consistency of staff credentials. CONCLUSION:The NCDB is characterized by a high level of case completeness and comparability with uniform standards for data collection, and by hospitals with high compliance, timely data submission, and high rates of compliance with validity standards for registry and data quality evaluation.
In 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (NCCDPHP) funded community health workers (CHWs) for COVID Response and Resilient Communities (CCR). CCR is a 3-year, $350 million initiative to implement CHW strategies aimed at reducing COVID-19 impacts, building resilience, and improving health equity by addressing health-related social needs. This paper describes the CCR initiative and experiences to date, underscoring CHWs’ critical role in CDC’s pandemic response. CCR funds 67 recipients to reach communities who are disproportionately affected by long-standing health disparities (hereafter, priority populations). CCR aims to decrease the impact of COVID-19 and increase community resilience to respond to COVID-19 and future public health emergencies. Recipients implement three strategies: train CHWs to support the COVID-19 response, increase the workforce of CHWs to manage the spread of the disease, and improve utilization of community and clinical resources to engage CHWs to help strengthen communities’ resilience to mitigate the impact of COVID-19. We funded three additional organizations to provide technical assistance to CCR recipients and collaborate with us on a national evaluation of the program. CCR recipients hired about 950 CHWs and integrated these CHWs into over 1,000 organizations and care teams. At the end of the second program year, CHWs made over 250,000 referrals to social services and over 150,000 referrals to address specific health conditions. CCR demonstrates that CHWs can be quickly mobilized to participate in a public health emergency and reach those most affected by COVID-19.
The New Orleans Maternal Child Health Coalition convenes to support and amplify the work of New Orleans-based individuals and organizations working to reduce disparities and protect the health of birthing families in the New Orleans area. The objectives of this qualitative study were to identify successes, challenges, and areas of growth for the Coalition and develop broadly generalizable recommendations for similar groups seeking to mobilize and advance health equity in their own communities. Using purposive sampling, we conducted semi-structured interviews with 12 key informants from within and outside of the Coalition. Interviews were transcribed verbatim, and data was analyzed using inductive and deductive coding approaches. We identified themes relating to the barriers and facilitators to the maintenance of the Coalition, as well as opportunities to advance the mission of the Coalition. Some themes included structural- and systemic-level barriers to achieving the mission, varying perspectives on the effectiveness of the Coalition, opportunities to enhance the operations of the Coalition’s work, and opportunities to involve other individuals, particularly those with lived experience, and non-MCH related sectors in Coalition’s work. As the maternal health crisis continues, coalitions like the New Orleans MCH Coalition provide a vehicle to amplify the mission-driven work of people and organizations. Recommendations put forth by the Coalition can also be utilized by coalitions in other jurisdictions. Black–White disparities in maternal and child health (MCH) have a longstanding history within the United States (US) and these disparities are mirrored in New Orleans, LA. The New Orleans Maternal and Child Health Coalition was founded to support the collective efficacy of numerous individuals and organizations to protect the health of birthing families in the community. We identified the key barriers and facilitators to achieving the Coalition’s mission and building collective power to achieve MCH equity in the greater New Orleans area. Such evidence is a crucial contribution during this time when rates of maternal mortality and morbidity continue to rise throughout the country. This study amplifies the importance of community-driven work to address disparities in MCH and enhance health equity.
The Cancer Prevention and Control Research Network (CPCRN) was established in 2002 to conduct applied research and undertake related activities to translate evidence into practice, with a special focus on the unmet needs of populations at higher risk of getting cancer and dying from it. A network of academic, public health and community partners, CPCRN is a thematic research network of the Prevention Research Centers Program at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The National Cancer Institute's Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences (DCCPS) has been a consistent collaborator. The CPCRN has fostered research on geographically dispersed populations through cross-institution partnerships across the network. Since its inception, the CPCRN has applied rigorous scientific methods to fill knowledge gaps in the application and implementation of evidence-based interventions, and it has developed a generation of leading investigators in the dissemination and implementation of effective public health practices. This article reflects on how CPCRN addressed national priorities, contributed to CDC's programs, emphasized health equity and impacted science over the past twenty years and potential future directions.
Background Cancer survival has improved for the most common cancers. However, less improvement and lower survival has been observed in some groups perhaps due to differential access to cancer care including prevention, screening, diagnosis, and treatment. Methods To further understand contemporary relative cancer survival (one- and five- year), we used survival data from CDC’s National Program of Cancer Registries (NPCR) for cancers diagnosed during 2007–2016. We examined overall relative cancer survival by sex, race and ethnicity, age, and county-level metropolitan and non-metropolitan status. Relative cancer survival by metropolitan and non-metropolitan status was further examined by sex, race and ethnicity, age, and cancer type. Results Among persons with cancer diagnosed during 2007–2016 the overall one-year and five-year relative survival was 80.6% and 67.4%, respectively. One-year relative survival for persons living in metropolitan counties was 81.1% and 77.8% among persons living in non-metropolitan counties. We found that persons who lived in non-metropolitan counties had lower survival than those who lived in metropolitan counties, and this difference persisted across sex, race and ethnicity, age, and most cancer types. Conclusion Further examination of the differences in cancer survival by cancer type or other characteristics might be helpful for identifying potential interventions, such as programs that target screening and early detection or strategies to improve access to high quality cancer treatment and follow-up care, that could improve long-term outcomes. Impact This analysis provided a high-level overview of contemporary cancer survival in the United States.
INTRODUCTION:We examined national estimates of breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer (CRC) screening test use and compared them with Healthy People 2030 national targets. Test use in 2021 was compared with prepandemic estimates. METHODS:In 2022, we used 2021 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) data to estimate proportions of adults up to date with US Preventive Services Task Force recommendations for breast (women aged 50-74 y), cervical (women aged 21-65 y), and CRC screening (adults aged 50-75 y) across sociodemographic and health care access variables. We compared age-standardized estimates from the 2021 and 2019 NHIS. RESULTS:Percentages of adults up to date in 2021 were 75.7% (95% CI, 74.4%-76.9%), 75.2% (95% CI, 73.9%-76.4%), and 72.2% (95% CI, 71.2%-73.2%) for breast, cervical, and CRC screening, respectively. Estimates were below 50% among those without a wellness check in 3 years (all screening types), among those without a usual source of care or insurance (aged <65 y) (breast and CRC screening), and among those residing in the US for less than 10 years (CRC screening). Percentages of adults who were up to date with breast and cervical cancer screening and colonoscopy were similar in 2019 and 2021. Fecal occult blood/fecal immunochemical test (FOBT/FIT) use was modestly higher in 2021 (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS:In 2021, approximately 1 in 4 adults of screening age were not up to date with breast, cervical, and CRC screening recommendations, and Healthy People 2030 national targets were not met. Disparities existed across several characteristics, particularly those related to health care access. Breast, cervical, and colonoscopy test use within recommended screening intervals approximated prepandemic levels. FOBT/FIT estimates were modestly higher in 2021.
Background. The complexity of decision science models may prevent their use to assist in decision making. User-centered design (UCD) principles provide an opportunity to engage end users in model development and refinement, potentially reducing complexity and increasing model utilization in a practical setting. We report our experiences with UCD to develop a modeling tool for cancer control planners evaluating cancer survivorship interventions. Design. Using UCD principles (described in the article), we developed a dynamic cohort model of cancer survivorship for individuals with female breast, colorectal, lung, and prostate cancer over 10 y. Parameters were obtained from the National Program of Cancer Registries and peer-reviewed literature, with model outcomes captured in quality-adjusted life-years and net monetary benefit. Prototyping and iteration were conducted with structured focus groups involving state cancer control planners and staff from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Public Health Association. Results. Initial feedback highlighted model complexity and unclear purpose as barriers to end user uptake. Revisions addressed complexity by simplifying model input requirements, providing clear examples of input types, and reducing complex language. Wording was added to the results page to explain the interpretation of results. After these updates, feedback demonstrated that end users more clearly understood how to use and apply the model for cancer survivorship resource allocation tasks. Conclusions. A UCD approach identified challenges faced by end users in integrating a decision aid into their workflow. This approach created collaboration between modelers and end users, tailoring revisions to meet the needs of the users. Future models developed for individuals without a decision science background could leverage UCD to ensure the model meets the needs of the intended audience.Highlights:Model complexity and unclear purpose are 2 barriers that prevent lay users from integrating decision science tools into their workflow.Modelers could integrate the user-centered design framework when developing a model for lay users to reduce complexity and ensure the model meets the needs of the users.
As part of its data modernization initiative (DMI), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Division of Cancer Prevention and Control is testing and implementing innovative solutions to improve cancer surveillance data quality and timeliness. We describe a consensus-based effort to create a framework to guide the evaluation of cancer surveillance modernization efforts by addressing specific context, processes, and costs related to cancer registration. We drew on prior theories, consulted with experts, and sought feedback from cancer registry staff. We developed the cancer surveillance systems, context, outcomes, and process evaluation (CS-SCOPE) framework to explain the ways in which cancer registry data quality, timeliness, and efficiency are impacted by external and internal contextual factors and interrelated process and content factors. The framework includes implementation measures to understand acceptability of process changes along with outcome measures to assess DMI initiation and ongoing sustainability. The framework's components and structures can be tailored for use in other DMI evaluations.
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has underscored the need to prevent chronic disease and promote health.1,2 More than a million American lives have been lost to COVID-19, and life expectancy decreased between 2018 and 2020.3,4 Chronic diseases are major risk factors for COVID-19 morbidity and mortality.5 In addition, COVID-19 morbidity and mortality have been higher among persons from racial and ethnic groups such as those who are African American, Hispanic or Latino, and American Indian or Alaska Native as well as those living at lower SES.
Background Breast cancer remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among women in the United States. Previous analyses show that breast cancer incidence increased from 1999 to 2018. The purpose of this article is to examine trends in breast cancer mortality. Methods Analysis of 1999 to 2020 mortality data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics, among women by race/ethnicity, age, and US Census region. Results It was found that overall breast cancer mortality is decreasing but varies by race/ethnicity, age group, and US Census region. The largest decrease in mortality was observed among non-Hispanic White women, women aged 45 to 64 years of age, and women living in the Northeast; whereas the smallest decrease in mortality was observed among non-Hispanic Asian or Pacific Islander women, women aged 65 years or older, and women living in the South. Conclusion This report provides national estimates of breast cancer mortality from 1999 to 2020 by race/ethnicity, age group, and US Census region. The decline in breast cancer mortality varies by demographic group. Disparities in breast cancer mortality have remained consistent over the past two decades. Using high-quality cancer surveillance data to estimate trends in breast cancer mortality may help health care professionals and public health prevention programs tailor screening and diagnostic interventions to address these disparities.
Cancer survivors (persons who have received a diagnosis of cancer, from the time of diagnosis throughout their lifespan)* have increased risk for severe COVID-19 illness and mortality (1). This report describes characteristics of deaths reported to CDC's National Vital Statistics System (NVSS), for which cancer was listed as the underlying or a contributing cause (cancer deaths) during January 1, 2018-July 2, 2022. The underlying causes of death, including cancer and COVID-19, were examined by week, age, sex, race and ethnicity, and cancer type. Among an average of approximately 13,000 weekly cancer deaths, the percentage with cancer as the underlying cause was 90% in 2018 and 2019, 88% in 2020, and 87% in 2021. The percentage of cancer deaths with COVID-19 as the underlying cause differed by time (2.0% overall in 2020 and 2.4% in 2021, ranging from 0.2% to 7.2% by week), with higher percentages during peaks in the COVID-19 pandemic. The percentage of cancer deaths with COVID-19 as the underlying cause also differed by the characteristics examined, with higher percentages observed in 2021 among persons aged ≥65 years (2.4% among persons aged 65-74 years, 2.6% among persons aged 75-84 years, and 2.4% among persons aged ≥85 years); males (2.6%); persons categorized as non-Hispanic American Indian or Alaska Native (AI/AN) (3.4%), Hispanic or Latino (Hispanic) (3.2%), or non-Hispanic Black or African American (Black) (2.5%); and persons with hematologic cancers, including leukemia (7.4%), lymphoma (7.3%), and myeloma (5.8%). This report found differences by age, sex, race and ethnicity, and cancer type in the percentage of cancer deaths with COVID-19 as the underlying cause. These results might guide multicomponent COVID-19 prevention interventions and ongoing, cross-cutting efforts to reduce health disparities and address structural and social determinants of health among cancer survivors, which might help protect those at disproportionate and increased risk for death from COVID-19.
Healthy People 2020 and the National Colorectal Cancer Roundtable established colorectal cancer (CRC) screening targets of 70.5% and 80%, respectively. While evidence-based interventions (EBIs) have increased CRC screening, the ability to achieve these targets at the population level remains uncertain. We simulated the impact of multicomponent interventions in North Carolina over 5 years to assess the potential for meeting national screening targets. Each intervention scenario is described as a core EBI with additional components indicated by the "+" symbol: patient navigation for screening colonoscopy (PN-for-Col+), mailed fecal immunochemical testing (MailedFIT+), MailedFIT+ targeted to Medicaid enrollees (MailedFIT + forMd), and provider assessment and feedback (PAF+). Each intervention was simulated with and without Medicaid expansion and at different levels of exposure (i.e., reach) for targeted populations. Outcomes included the percent up-to-date overall and by sociodemographic subgroups and number of CRC cases and deaths averted. Each multicomponent intervention was associated with increased CRC screening and averted both CRC cases and deaths; three had the potential to reach screening targets. PN-for-Col + achieved the 70.5% target with 97% reach after 1 year, and the 80% target with 78% reach after 5 years. MailedFIT+ achieved the 70.5% target with 74% reach after 1 year and 5 years. In the Medicaid population, assuming Medicaid expansion, MailedFIT + forMd reached the 70.5% target after 5 years with 97% reach. This study clarifies the potential for states to reach national CRC screening targets using multicomponent EBIs, but decision-makers also should consider tradeoffs in cost, reach, and ability to reduce disparities when selecting interventions.