# Community Engagement Core

> **NIH NIH U54** · FLORIDA AGRICULTURAL AND MECHANICAL UNIV · 2024 · $214,798

## Abstract

Community Engagement Core (CEC) Summary
One of FAMU RCMI Center's major goals is to reduce cancer health disparities among minorities and
underserved populations. Cancer health disparities refer to the adverse differences in cancer measures,
such as incidence, mortality, screening rates, and access to care, among specific population groups.
These disparities can be observed between racial and ethnic groups, socioeconomic groups, geographic
locations, and more. Achieving better health outcomes requires an integrated, patient-centered healthcare
system, multisectoral engagement, community organizing, social action, and reducing health inequities.
African Americans continue to have the highest death rate for most types of cancer and the shortest survival
of any racial/ethnic group in the United States. Overall, about 1 in 2 African American men and 1 in 3
African American women will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime. The causes of these inequalities
are complex and reflect social and economic disparities, such as barriers to high-quality cancer prevention,
early detection, and treatment information and services. Additionally, multiple social and cultural barriers
have been identified that impede screening and early detection, especially among underserved minority
populations. Over the last few years, extensive evidence has shown the benefits of active and equitable
community participation in health research and promotion to address problems related to social and
structural inequities that significantly affect underserved populations. The mission of the CEC is to
establish, identify, and support partnerships with the community to create a sustainable research
environment for reducing cancer disparities. The CEC will strengthen the capacity of academic and
community partners to reduce cancer disparities by increasing interaction between FAMU RCMI scientists
and the community as well as dissemination of RCMI's research, use of artificial intelligence (AI) in
research, and promoting participation in RCMI research studies. Also, the core will develop and implement
culturally sensitive outreach activities to improve health literacy, cancer screening, and cancer prevention
through nutrition education.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 11001304
- **Project number:** 2U54MD007582-39
- **Recipient organization:** FLORIDA AGRICULTURAL AND MECHANICAL UNIV
- **Principal Investigator:** Sandra G Suther
- **Activity code:** U54 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $214,798
- **Award type:** 2
- **Project period:** 1997-08-01 → 2029-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/11001304

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 11001304, Community Engagement Core (2U54MD007582-39). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-27 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/11001304. Licensed CC0.

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