24_25 UVA Comprehensive Cancer Center COE Impact Report

UVA Comprehensive Cancer Center

Community Impact Report

2024-2025

CONTENT SECTION 1 — ABOUT & PARTNERSHIPS COE’s Role in Cancer Center Priorities

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Message from Our UVA Comprehensive Cancer Center Associate Director for Community Outreach and Engagement

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Message From the Community Advisory Council

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Community Advisory Council Priority Recommendations

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Addressing Cancer Burden Across the UVA Cancer Center Catchment Area

08

Investing in Community-Led Solutions

10

SECTION 2 — BUILDING RESEARCH CAPACITY Improving Rural Clinical Trial Participation

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Building a Community-Engaged Cohort-Study

13

Bridging the Gap Between Science and Community

14

Shaping Cancer Research with Lived Experience

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SECTION 3 — ENHANCING HEALTH PROMOTION Partnering For a Sun-Safe Virginia

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Policy Progress in Action

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Informing Lung Cancer Screening Decisions

21

Stay in the Game

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Prostate Cancer Town Hall

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Improving Access to Cancer Screening

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Boosting Colorectal Cancer Screening At UVA Health

26

Partnering to Improve Cancer Screening

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COMMUNITY OUTREACH AND ENGAGEMENT

2024-2025

COE’S ROLE IN CANCER CENTER PRIORITIES COMMUNITY OUTREACH & ENGAGEMENT MISSION The Mission of the UVA Comprehensive Cancer Center’s Community Outreach and Engagement team is to reduce the cancer in the community by fostering strategic and collaborative partnerships that improve health outcomes. We achieve this through evidence-based education and interventions, supporting advocacy efforts, building capacity, and facilitating research opportunities that address the unique needs of communities.

COMMUNITY-INFORMED STRATEGIC PRIORITIES Through work with the Community Advisory Council, COE helps elevate community perspectives that inform Cancer Center priorities. Four strategic priority cancers have been identified– lung, breast, colorectal, and melanoma in which emphasis is placed due to their higher incidence, mortality, or specific disparities. Additionally, the Cancer Center has placed emphasis on two modifiable risk factors that have a higher prevalence in our catchment area.

Lung

io Pr

Disp

Colorectal

arities

Research Strength

th

al

Community Informed

Data Driven

o

ci

De

term

inants

of

R is k F a ct ors

04

Breast

s

Melanoma

S

Obesity

rity Cancer

a He

l

Tobacco

COMMUNITY OUTREACH AND ENGAGEMENT

2024-2025

MESSAGE FROM OUR UVA COMPREHENSIVE CANCER CENTER ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR FOR COMMUNITY OUTREACH AND ENGAGEMENT Two years after achieving NCI Comprehensive Cancer Center designation, UVA Comprehensive Cancer Center is seeing that recognition translate into meaningful impact across our communities. The 2024–2025 Impact Report highlights the work of the Community Outreach and Engagement team in collaboration with nearly 200 community partners across our catchment area.

Wendy Cohn, MEd, PhD Associate Director for Community Outreach & Engagement Professor, Public Health Sciences

The report reflects the power of community-driven priorities and sustained partnerships. Stay in the Game (SITG), our community-led prostate cancer awareness initiative, launched in response to a request for greater action to address prostate cancer disparities. In 2025, SITG partners, our Community Advisory Council, and the UVACCC research community identified next steps and recommended prostate cancer as a Cancer Center priority.

Through continued partnerships with federally qualified health centers (FQHCs), cancer screening rates improved across participating health centers, with increases ranging from 8% to 41%. Building on this momentum, we secured a PCORI contract to strengthen research capacity and develop shared best practices to further improve screening rates. This work led to the launch of the Virginia FQHC Cancer Screening Collaborative.

Our Community Grants Program continues to advance community-driven solutions by supporting local organizations delivering innovative programs. From Loaves & Fishes hosting mobile mammography alongside access to healthy foods to Mountain States Health Alliance expanding tobacco cessation services in counties with the highest tobacco use rates, these projects reflect a shared commitment to reducing cancer burden across Virginia.

Together, we are addressing cancer disparities and strengthening partnerships that make this work possible. I am proud of what we have accomplished and look forward to continuing this work in the year ahead.

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CATCHMENT AREA PARTNERSHIPS

2024-2025

CATCHMENT AREA PARTNERSHIP

MESSAGE FROM THE COMMUNITY ADVISORY COUNCIL About the Community Advisory Council The 20-member CAC represents survivors, caregivers, advocacy groups, health systems, schools and providers from a variety of backgrounds. Guided by a community-based participatory approach, the CAC collaborates with UVA Cancer Center leadership to align research and outreach activities with the needs of the community.

Goals of the Council Provide input on the cancer control needs of residents in the catchment area Advise the Cancer Center on the applicability of their research and outreach efforts Recommend options for integrating Cancer Center research and outreach efforts into the community Help facilitate the visibility and credibility of the Cancer Center across the spectrum of basic, clinical and population science

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2024-2025

The UVA Comprehensive Cancer Center’s catchment area continues to face higher cancer death rates than the national average for some cancers.

To address these challenges, the Community Advisory Council endorsed six priority areas focused on reducing obesity and tobacco use and lowering the burden of four cancers through enhanced prevention, screening, and treatment (see the recommendation on page 7).

Over the past two years, the CAC has developed a communityfocused roadmap to guide research and outreach, ensuring the Center’s efforts reflect and respond to local needs.

Progress Highlights Since updating their roadmap, the Cancer Center has made significant progress addressing some of the Council’s key recommendations.

From 2023 to 2025, there was a 50% increase in research that addresses cancer center priority cancers or risk factors.

Pilot funding has supported innovative projects targeting the region’s most urgent cancer issues.

The CAC remains committed to strengthening the bridge between science and community. Community voices are helping to shape cancer research, care, and policy, ensuring those most impacted are part of the solution.

Together, we are building a future where everyone across our region has the opportunity to live free from the burden of cancer.

Ericca Facetti

Howard Chapman

Co-chair, Community Advisory Council

Co-chair, Community Advisory Council

CATCHMENT AREA PARTNERSHIPS

2024-2025

COMMUNITY ADVISORY COUNCIL PRIORITY RECOMMENDATIONS The CAC identified priority recommendations to help guide Cancer Center efforts across the catchment area. Many of these recommendations are reflected throughout this impact report, highlighting the progress made in response to these priorities.

Research

Disparities 1 TAILORED RISK REDUCTION RESEARCH AND INTERVENTIONS

ISIBILITY & AWARENESS 1 VIncrease visibility and awareness of research and clinical trials available at UVA

Utilize existing data to explore trends in communities with higher cancer burden.

Conduct additional data gathering, such as needs assessments to understand the root cause further. From findings, tailor existing research and interventions or develop new initiatives to address findings

and share outcomes back to the community

2 ENHANCED NAVIGATION TO ADDRESS GAPS IN CANCER SCREENING Work with existing care partners to expand the depth and breadth of navigation services offered in communities experiencing higher cancer burden

SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH 3 ADDRESS Leverage funds to address communities with high cancer burden and establish

programs and opportunities that address existing social determinants of health over the long term. Value of depth over breadth within the community.

Colorectal 1 MARKETING & OUTREACH Educate community members about screening options. Highlighting low-cost options, positive patient stories, and lead time messaging

2 PROVIDER EDUCATION Education on latest screening guidelines, policy updates, and best practices

3 SYSTEM CHANGE

Promote system change using evidence-based practices to increase screening uptake

OMMUNITY PERSPECTIVE 2C Enhance opportunities to engage community members in all aspects of research

DATA DRIVEN 3 Align cancer center research to address top cancer burden and disparities from across the catchment area

1 PROVIDER EDUCATION Education for healthcare providers on lung cancer screening guidelines and referral pathways

3 COMMUNITY EDUCATION

3 POLICY

Educate on lung cancer prevention and screening opportunities and navigate to care

1 SCREENING ACCESS

1 TREATMENT ACCESS

Increase awareness of guideline changes and mandates related to breast cancer screening among community members and healthcare providers

3 SURVIVORSHIP

Coordinate efforts and emphasis on breast cancer survivorship resources across the catchment area

Support comprehensive sun safety activities with a broad array of partners high melanoma burden areas

2 ACCESS

Preemptively work with federally qualified health centers to develop standardized work for lung cancer screening

Obesity

2 AWARENESS

1 OUTREACH

2 ACCESS

Breast Use a data driven approach to collaboratively address breast cancer screening needs across the catchment area

Melanoma

Lung

Increase availability of and access to comprehensive, evidence-based obesity treatment programs for children and adults, including behavioral and pharmacological options

2 PSE CHANGE

Implement policy, system and environment changes related to obesity prevention

3 AWARENESS Raise the awareness across the catchment area on the relationship between obesity and cancer

Increase access to skin screenings through training for healthcare providers, community screening sites, and telehealth

Assist K-12 schools with implementation of sun safety legislation

Tobacco 1 YOUTH EDUCATION

Integrate comprehensive youth tobacco prevention education and cessation within schools and beyond

2 POLICY

Support existing and future legislation related to stronger tobacco control policies (cigarette tax, retail licensing, tobacco free spaces)

3 ACCESS

Provide comprehensive and accessible cessation support delivered through models in and beyond the clinical setting

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CATCHMENT AREA PARTNERSHIPS

2024-2025

ADDRESSING CANCER BURDEN ACROSS THE UVA CANCER CENTER CATCHMENT AREA The UVA Comprehensive Cancer Center’s catchment area spans 87 counties in Virginia and West Virginia, including urban and rural communities. This region experiences cancer disparities influenced by geography, access to care, and socioeconomic factors. The Cancer Center’s Community Outreach and Engagement team tailors its efforts to address the unique needs of the diverse communities we serve.

ABOUT THE CATCHMENT AREA

Sun Safe Story Time in Radford

3.25 38% 79% residents are White 11%

million people residing in Virginia and West Virginia of the population is Appalachian

residents are Black

CANCER BURDEN The catchment area has an overall lower rate of cancer, but higher mortality compared to the US. We specifically see higher incidence and mortality in lung and colorectal, and higher mortality in melanoma and breast, which are all UVACCC priority cancers. Notable disparities, where some groups are impacted by cancer more than others, are outlined below.

Appalachian/Rural Disparities

08

Racial Disparities

Colorectal

Lung

Melanoma

Colorectal

Breast

Cervical

Obesity

Tobacco

Prostate

Obesity

SWVA CAB meeting in Abingdon

CATCHMENT AREA PARTNERSHIPS

2024-2025

Impact through Partnership Strong partnerships are essential to impacting cancer burden as they draw on local knowledge and expertise. These collaborative partnerships close gaps in prevention, early detection and drive community-led research efforts that lead to improved outcomes and healthier communities.

Cancer Screening Navigation in Nelson County

196

Community Partners

182 Community Activities

Colorectal RoundTable in Abingdon

This work is guided by advisory groups, including the Community Advisory Council, Southwest Virginia Cancer Advisory Board, and DanRiver Regional Task Force.

Henrietta Lacks Clinical Trials Event in Danville

Food Distribution in Charlottesville

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CATCHMENT AREA PARTNERSHIPS

2024-2025

INVESTING IN COMMUNITY-LED SOLUTIONS

Community Grants Program UVA Cancer Center’s Community Grants Program funds community-led projects to address cancer-related health disparities. Each project strengthens local capacity to improve cancer prevention, screening, and equity across the catchment area, bringing innovative services to the communities we serve.

$100K provided to nonprofit organizations across the catchment area

+25,000 community members impacted

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CATCHMENT AREA PARTNERSHIPS

2024-2025

2024 Hitting Cancer Below the Belt Richmond, VA

HopeCam Arlington, VA

Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry

WellAware

Loaves & Fishes provided healthy food and nutrition education for more than 12,000 people each month, expanding access to preventative care and building a healthier community.

2.6M

6,565

36,378

Pounds of groceries provided

Unique Households Fed

Grocery carts packed

Charlottesville, VA

Vance Street Missionary Baptist Church Danville, VA

Yellow Door Foundation Charlottesville, VA

2025 Hitting Cancer Below the Belt Richmond, VA

Mountain States Health Alliance Lee and Dickenson Counties, VA

Vance Street Missionary Baptist Church

Vance Street Missionary Baptist Church

Danville, VA

The Fighting Cancer One Step and One Meal at a Time Project promoted cancer risk reduction through health education and nutrition programming tailored to the local community’s needs.

People Inc of Virginia

250+

72,120

300

Unique Community Members Engaged in programming

Minutes of total physical activity delivered

Youth engaged in a youth basketball program

Bristol, VA

Timeless Traditions Foundation Dry Fork, VA

MLC Foundation Martinville, VA

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BUILDING RESEARCH CAPACITY

2024-2025

IMPROVING RURAL CLINICAL TRIAL PARTICIPATION Rural populations are often underrepresented in clinical trials, leading to disparities in health outcomes. Addressing rural participation barriers is essential to equitable participation in clinical trials.

What rural voices told us to address Four key themes emerged from community focus groups and provider surveys, informing the toolkit assets.

Convenience & Incentives

Clear Information

Convenience and incentives strongly influence research participation.

Clear, understandable information is necessary to guide decision making.

Trusted Recommendations

Trial Safety and Monitoring

Recommendations from trusted care providers are critical.

Concerns remain about how trials are conducted and monitored.

To address these challenges, COE collaborated with Cancer Center investigator Linda Duska, MD and VRHA to develop a toolkit to address rural barriers and raise awareness on clinical trials.

Community members and local care providers provided insights on common barriers and misconceptions.

Partner Spotlight VRHA

Virgina Rural Health Association

is all too familiar with the concerns of rural “ VRHA voices being left out of research projects due to the logistical difficulties of including rural populations. VRHA appreciated the opportunity to ensure rural people and rural healthcare providers had a seat at the table.” ~ Beth O’Connor, Executive Director, Virginia Rural Health Association

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View the toolkit

Scan to view the rural clinical trials toolkit on VRHA’s website

2024-2025

rove Com Imp m to

Health ity un

BUILDING A COMMUNITYENGAGED COHORT-STUDY

Partners hip

BUILDING RESEARCH CAPACITY

PICH

FROM CLINIC TO COMMUNITY COE introduced the Partnership to Improve Community Health (PICH) to the Dan River Region Cancer Task Force in Southern Virginia. The study was designed for a clinical setting, focused on patients undergoing colonoscopies.

Led by Li Li, MD, the cohort study examines how lifestyle, genetics, and environmental factors contribute to colorectal cancer disparities.

PICH Year One Highlights Oct 2024

Study advisory team formed to actively guide the study protocols for the clinical launch

Through close partnership with COE, the study was transformed for a community-based setting that extends beyond the walls of an academic medical center.

Jan 2025

Study advisory team selected the study name: Partnership to Improve Community Health

Jul 2025

Redesign of all study materials including instructions, recruitment materials, website, and specimen collection packaging

Aug 2025

In person recruitment opened at three health center clinics in Martinsville, Henry and Patrick County

Sept 2025

First person enrolled into the study

The task force helped guide study design, community engagement, and implementation.

By bridging the academic research team and trusted regional partners, COE helped build the local capacity, infrastructure, and trust needed to enroll 1,000 community members.

Community engaged process shared at national conference

Dec 2025

Community-based recruitment opened

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BUILDING RESEARCH CAPACITY

2024-2025

BRIDGING THE GAP BETWEEN SCIENCE AND COMMUNITY The Next Generation Science Communication Program strengthens early career researchers’ ability to effectively share their work with community audiences- making science more accessible, engaging, and meaningful.

Training Workshops

6

Students Trained

28

Community Presentations

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Through interactive workshops and real-world presentations, early-career researchers learn to translate complex science into clear, relatable information. COE supports this process through iterative feedback on language and design to ensure audience understanding. COE also connects researchers and community advocates so they can hear what’s most important to share and how best to communicate it. These experiences help researchers understand community perspectives, build trust, and strengthen dialogue between science and the public, reinforcing the value of accessibility and ensuring academic research reaches and benefits the communities we serve.

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BUILDING RESEARCH CAPACITY

2024-2025

THE NEXT GENERATION SCIENCE EXPERIENCE

The biggest lesson I learned is the importance of meeting people where they are— engaging them based on their needs and perspective.

— Sam Young, UVA Graduate

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BUILDING RESEARCH CAPACITY

2024-2025

SHAPING CANCER RESEARCH WITH LIVED EXPERIENCE Launched in 2025, the Cancer Research Community Advocate (CRCA) Program is building a powerful bridge between researchers and the communities they serve.

Through a structured, hands-on 10-month experience, 9 community advocates were trained and paired with 8 Cancer Center research teams, ensuring local knowledge, lived experience, and community priorities shape cancer research from the start.

Throughout the program, advocates: Gained knowledge about cancer fundamentals and how research ideas evolve into funded studies Connected with key Cancer Center leaders, learning about laboratory science, grant development, and clinical and community research processes Stepped into the lab to observe research firsthand, solidifying their role as informed partners driving meaningful, community-responsive science.

Pictured : Nao Hagiwara

Cancer Research Advocates In Action

BROADENING BIAS RESEARCH Cancer Center researcher and CRCA host, Nao Hagiwara partnered with a Cancer Research Community Advocate to help interpret findings and guide next steps to her ongoing implicit bias in healthcare research.

During the program, the advocate identified that Hispanic patients often face similar bias in care that she was seeing in her studies with African Americans.

In response, Nao used Cancer Center pilot funding to expand her work and further adapt her healthcare provider trainings and tools to address bias related to Latino

Pictured above: The inaugural cohort of Cancer Research Community Advocates with their host research partners.

patients.

In partnership with the COE, she is now

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9

4

Community Advocates completed the inaugural program

All four cancer research program were represented as host sites

engaging local Hispanic communities to ensure the tools are culturally responsive and community-informed, demonstrating how community insight can directly strengthen research impact.

BUILDING RESEARCH CAPACITY

2024-2025

THE CRCA EXPERIENCE

I am very passionate about research, education and healthcare that seeks to better communities. Our communities need programs such as CRCA to continue to bridge the gap between researchers and the community.

— CRCA Advocate

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ENHANCING HEALTH PROMOTION

2024-2025

PARTNERING FOR A SUN-SAFE VIRGINIA With partners across Virginia, COE expanded evidence-based sun safety in early education settings. New River Community Action Head Start installed sunscreen dispensers on Head Start playgrounds and delivered Ray and the Sunbeatables to preschoolers and caregivers.

To expand efforts, the Sun Safety in Schools Toolkit was developed in partnership with VDH’s Comprehensive Cancer Program and the Cancer Action Coalition of Virginia.

Buena Vista City Public Schools piloted the toolkit, bringing Sunbeatables to elementary students, installing new shade structures over playgrounds, and placing sunscreen dispensers across the school district.

Students & Staff Protected

1000+ Preschoolers & Caregivers reached

400+ Pictured above: Students at New River Community Action Head Start

Partner Spotlight BVCPS

Buena Vista City Public Schools

great seeing students excited to learn about “ Itsunwassafety and how they can protect themselves from the sun because it may not be something they would learn about or understand the importance of otherwise” – Brian Loy, Physical Education Teacher, Buena Vista City PUblic Schools

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Sunscreen dispensers installed

35 New shade structures installed

2

ENHANCING HEALTH PROMOTION

2024-2025

Addressing food insecurity through hands-on learning Building practical skills in gardening to reduce cancer risk To help address food insecurity, COE supported a hands-on container gardening workshop that taught participants how to grow herbs and vegetables in small spaces and prepare simple, healthy recipes using what they grow.

By building practical food skills and confidence, this approach supports healthier eating and reduces cancer risk where fresh food access is limited.

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GLOBAL GEOMETRY ENHANCING HEALTH PROMOTION

YEAR 2030 2024-2025

POLICY PROGRESS IN ACTION The Eliminate Tobacco Use (ETU) Virginia Initiative, co-led by UVA Comprehensive Cancer Center and VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center, is working across the Commonwealth of Virginia to strengthen tobacco-free policies in higher education.

In partnership with the Virginia Department of Health Tobacco Control Program, ETU provides technical assistance and tools, helping university campuses and improve policy strength and language while tracking progress over time through an interactive dashboard.

Highlighted Accomplishments Distributed updated tobacco policy surveillance report cards to 48 public and private colleges and universities across the Commonwealth.

Launched the interactive Tobacco Policy Surveillance Dashboard.

Developed the Virginia Tobacco Control Resource Guide to support tobacco control efforts

Hosted the annual Eliminate Tobacco Use Virginia Summit

About Eliminate Tobacco Use Founded by The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center and The University of Texas System in 2015, the Eliminate Tobacco Use (ETU) Initiative was established to address tobacco use across colleges and universities and more effectively contribute to actions that create a tobacco-free culture.

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Scan to view the Virginia Tobacco Use Dashboard

ENHANCING HEALTH PROMOTION

2024-2025

WHAT WE LEARNED Overall, the project demonstrates Community-informed education

INFORMING LUNG CANCER SCREENING DECISIONS Community-informed education with measurable results The Lung Cancer Screening Education

meaningfully increased understanding and readiness to discuss and consider lung cancer screening.

25%

45%

intention to pursue lung

project, funded by the V Foundation, was

cancer screening after

designed to help patients feel informed and

reviewing materials

prepared to discuss lung cancer screening with their healthcare providers during primary care visits.

85% OR HIGHER

Using well-established health education and

Educational materials

public health theories and input from the community, the team thoughtfully

received high satisfaction

developed patient-centered educational

ratings across formats

materials. These materials were shared with patients at a primary care clinic at UVA Health who may be eligible for lung cancer screening.

IMPROVED KNOWLEDGE

To evaluate the impact, patients completed

Participants showed

a brief survey before reviewing the materials

improvements across all

and again afterward to assess changes in knowledge and screening intentions.

knowledge areas related to lung cancer screening.

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ENHANCING HEALTH PROMOTION

2024-2025

STAY IN THE GAME A Community-Led Prostate Cancer Initiative In the Cancer Center’s catchment area, Black men are dying from prostate cancer 2x more than White men, a disparity that underscores the need for collaborative action.

Stay in the Game (SITG) is a community-led initiative that raises awareness of prostate cancer and promotes prostate cancer screening through trusted local voices.

Launched in September 2024 with guidance from an engaged steering committee and to address the high prostate cancer mortality, SITG empowers community champions to educate, support, and spark conversations about prostate health, especially among men in Danville and Charlottesville.

Since launch, champions have hosted outreach and screening events, released educational tools, and created safe spaces for meaningful conversations within the community.

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Community Champions

19

SITG Events

Champion Spotlight “I think the more of us who talk about prostate cancer and screening could be an encouraging factor for not only our communities, but for our families.” - Maurice Ferrell

Scan the QR code to learn more 22

ENHANCING HEALTH PROMOTION

PROSTATE CANCER TOWNHALL Designate prostate cancer as a Cancer Center priority area of focus to accelerate research action to reduce prostate cancer deaths.

In November 2025, the UVA Comprehensive Cancer Center convened more than 35 prostate cancer-focused researchers, Stay in the Game Community Champions, and members of the Community Advisory Council to hear about prostate cancer research, understand community perspectives, and identify next steps and recommendations to strengthen the Cancer Center’s response to prostate cancer in the community.

Presentations from Paul Skelton and Xexin Xu highlighted innovative science advancing prostate cancer treatment.

Stay in the Game Champions Andre Austin, Bethann James, and Hashim Davis urged community involvment in research

2024-2025

KEY RECOMMENDATIONS Communication & Trust Building Utilize storytelling and culturally grounded messaging to reduce stigma and build trust Create safe spaces for honest conversations about prostate cancer Develop clear, community-tailored communication for diverse populations

Research Partnership and Community Integration Increase awareness of community needs among researchers Involve community from idea design implementation results Provide new opportunities and support for researcher–community partnerships including pilot funds and COE resources Share plain-language results back with communities

→

→

→

Screening and Navigation Expand PSA screening options through faithbased sites Provide navigation support to address barriers and ensure follow-up

Education and Awareness Deliver accessible education to decrease fear and improve understanding of prostate cancer Emphasize the importance of timely PSA screening Information delivered by trusted community leaders and channels

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ENHANCING HEALTH PROMOTION

2024-2025

IMPROVING ACCESS TO CANCER SCREENING Community Cancer Screening Navigation COE’s community navigation helps connect community members due for cancer screening by providing personalized support to overcome barriers to cancer screening. This care includes education, establishing a medical home, and referrals to financial assistance programs.

900+ Community Members Educated

108 Connections to Primary Care

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“Navigation connected me to impo was able to get a mammogram an pantry—many people aren’t awar -Community FROM THE COMMUNITY

|

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ENHANCING HEALTH PROMOTION

2024-2025

Partnership with UVA’s Mobile Mammography Coach One resource the COE navigator’s leverage to help address common barriers is the UVA mobile mammography coach. COE partners the coach to identify locations where the unit can best serve communities with high need and limited access to care. COE navigators work directly with community members to connect them to appointments on the mobile unit and support them in completing their screenings.

3,055 Mobile mammograms completed (24-25)

ortant community resources. I nd access food through a local e of the help that’s out there.” y Member

262

Community mobile visits (24-25)

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ENHANCING HEALTH PROMOTION

2024-2025

BOOSTING COLORECTAL CANCER SCREENING AT UVA HEALTH As colorectal cancer (CRC) is rising in adults under 50, many newly eligible adults are still not being screened. Since 2019, COE and University Medical Associates (UMA) have partnered to improve screening rates at the large resident-based clinic.

PROJECT SNAPSHOT UMA Mailed FIT Outreach

589 Picture: Austin Matt-Beal, MEd; Callender; Elaine Mahieu, RN; and Keyri Lopez-Godoy. Photo credit: Cece Rooney-UVA Health.

FIT kits mailed

MAILED FIT OUTREACH PROJECT One example of this partnership was a culturally tailored mailed fecal immunochemical test (FIT) outreach effort for patients ages 45–49 who were not up to date with

24%

CRC screening at UMA, one of UVA Health’s safety-net

Completed their

primary care clinics. This effort included mailed FIT kits,

CRC screening

bilingual invitations, patient-centered messaging, and bilingual navigation support

RECOGNITION FOR PATIENT CARE QUALITY In 2024, the clinic’s five-year colorectal cancer screening

Return rate among

initiative received the Charles L. Brown Award for Patient

Hispanic Patients

Care Quality. Led by David Callender, MD, MPH, the

(vs 21% in non-

multidisciplinary team used evidence-based strategies to increase screening rates and reduce disparities despite pandemic-related barriers.

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29%

Hispanic Patients)

ENHANCING HEALTH PROMOTION

PARTNERING TO IMPROVE CANCER SCREENING In 2024, the Virginia Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) Cancer Screening Collaborative launched to bring together FQHCs, partner organizations, patient advocates, and cancer researchers to strengthen capacity for cancer screening research.

FQHCs serve communities that often face greater barriers to care, making them critical partners in advancing screening equity.

Through training, education, and shared prioritysetting, the collaborative has built a foundation for improving cancer screening rates through research and quality improvement, helping expand access and reduce gaps in care.

2024-2025

FQHCs are in unique positions to voice our expertise and the lived experiences of our patients in order to influence cancer screening research.

— Sabrina Mitchell, Stone Mountain Health Services

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THANK YOU TO OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS Thank you to the community organizations, advocates, partners, and leaders who make this work possible. Your collaboration strengthens prevention, expands access to screening and care, and ensures research reflects community priorities across our catchment area.

As we look ahead, we remain committed to working handin-hand to reduce cancer disparities and build healthier futures for the communities we serve.