Regional Native American Community Networks Program (RNACNP)

Aim: Determine the overall effectiveness of a targeted digital messaging intervention at improving colorectal cancer (CRC) screening rates compared to care as usual. Hypothesis: Screening rates will be higher for patients who receive the digital messaging intervention, compared to the control group in which patients receive care as usual.

Native People for Cancer Control is one of the projects under Partnerships for Native Health, and is 1 of 23 Community Networks Programs funded by the National Cancer Institute. The aim of Native People for Cancer Control is to reduce cancer health disparities by conducting training, research, education and outreach, in collaboration with American Indian and Alaska Native communities. We do this work in partnership with Native people, communities, and organizations in an 8-state area, including: Alaska, Washington, Wyoming, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, and South Dakota. Our program consists of 4 cores: Administrative Core: assists with grant administration, budgeting, sub-contracts with Tribes, program planning, and reporting. Outreach/Education Core: assists with cancer education, outreach, health promotion, and cancer prevention activities among urban and rural AI/AN people. Training Core: builds capacity for Native faculty-level investigators, and students, to conduct research. Research Core: conducts community-based participatory research on colorectal cancer screening, health literacy, health communication, and cancer risk factors among American Indian and Alaska Native people. The main research project under Native People for Cancer Control is titled, "Innovations in Enhancing Colorectal Cancer Screening". The goal of this project is to develop, implement, and evaluate a community wide, multi-media campaign to improve colorectal cancer screening among American Indians and Alaska Natives in 3 communities.