SUMMARY COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT CORE As extreme weather events become increasingly visible in the US Caribbean (Puerto Rico [PR] and US Virgin Islands [USVI]), and adaptation measures move from the planning to the implementation stage, those affected by natural and environmental risks and adaptation strategies cannot be ignored. A fundamental principle of community-engaged research is to involve people who are most likely to be affected by an issue, as partners in the research process, where research becomes a tool to be used by communities. The Community Engagement Core (CEC) is essential as an anchor to the multimethod approach and achievement of the goals proposed by the Caribbean Cancer Research Center on Environmental and Natural Hazards (CARIB-CARES). The CEC will use a Human-Centered Approach to anchor the collaborative activities that will be designed to involve a range of stakeholders and community members in both PR and USVI in a Community Coalition of Partners whose input and assistance will engender effective ways of supporting an increased understanding of extreme weather events impacts and their linkages to public health issues such as managing cancer and responses to environmental pollution. It is expected that culturally and linguistically appropriate information and other outputs will be co-created and appropriately disseminated to the communities of PR and the USVI. The goal will be achieved through the following specific aims: 1) Co-develop and implement a Community Engagement Plan and establish a Community Coalition of Partners in PR and USVI to collaborate with project personnel to co-create and disseminate culturally and linguistically appropriate information on cancer risk factors, cancer control and their linkage to natural and environmental hazards impacts; 2) Develop an inclusive, responsive, multi-level mechanism to effectively address translation and dissemination of research and CARIB-CARES project findings to the varied audiences of PR and USVI communities and 3) Develop Toolkits focused on supporting managing self-care and accessing needed health providers and services during disruptions created as a result of for extreme weather events and/or environmental pollution for stakeholders, communities and cancer patients in PR and USVI. The approach, relationships built and supported, and outputs of the CEC are expected to positively impact community understanding of the linkages between environmental hazards and health, thus enhancing their ability to navigate the healthcare system and better manage their individual health. Through the work of the CEC, members of the target communities will be aware of the resources available to them and can access care and services more effectively. The inclusive and responsive approach taken by CEC will support targeted communities aiming to increase access to health care and improve health outcomes for community members.