POPULATION SCIENCES AND HEALTH DISPARITIES PROGRAM (PSHD) PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT The central theme of the Population Sciences and Health Disparities Program (PSHD) is to conduct impactful research to prevent and/or reduce the cancer burden in the UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center (UCDCCC) catchment area and beyond. The Program brings together basic scientists, biostatisticians, epidemiologists, health disparities researchers, and clinicians to study the factors that affect cancer occurrence in human populations with the goal of reducing avoidable cancer incidence, morbidity, mortality, and to improve the quality of life for those affected by cancer (i.e., survivors and their families). PSHD has two Specific Aims that frames and ties its member’s research contributions. Aim 1 is to discover etiological factors for cancer occurrence and advanced disease to mitigate health disparities. Aim 2 is to evaluate determinants and interventions to improve cancer outcomes and inform evidence-based practices. Theresa Keegan, PhD, MS (cancer epidemiologist) and Diana Miglioretti, PhD (biostatistician) are co-leaders for PSHD. The Program’s research portfolio spans the cancer control continuum, from cancer etiology, primary prevention, screening, and diagnosis, to treatment, surveillance, and outcomes research. PSHD has 17 full members from four schools/colleges and eight departments at UC Davis. PSHD’s total cancer relevant funding is $5.9M annual direct cost, including $3.2M in peer-reviewed and $1.4M in NCI funding. The total number of publications is 438 of which 20% are intra-programmatic, 24% inter-programmatic, 66% multi-institutional, and 21% published in high impact journals. The UCDCCC has deployed measures to increase cancer-related funding including the strategic recruitment of two senior faculty members who will bring new team science grants to the Program. Additionally, the UCDCCC provides discretionary funding support to the PSHD, providing its leadership the ability to support more pilot projects that will enhance the Program’s impact.