Cancer Center Community Outreach

Expanding Access to Science and Treatment

At City of Hope, we believe advanced care should also be accessible care.

City of Hope serves our ethnically, linguistically and socioeconomically diverse communities. We reside in a setting spanning urban, suburban and rural communities that is home to over 17.1 million people. This population represents almost 40% of all Californians; and when compared to the nation, represents a population that is larger than 46 of our states and greater than the combined populations of 14 states.

City of Hope's comprehensive cancer center uses its research and resources to improve the lives of the men, women and children in our communities. We are especially engaged in our most vulnerable communities representing cancer care deserts; these regions include the Antelope Valley and the Inland Empire (San Bernardino and Riverside counties). Therefore, the people, families and communities we serve face challenges that increase cancer risk and survival — including poverty, obesity and lack of access to care.


To achieve this goal, our comprehensive cancer center focuses on three priorities:

  • Identifying and addressing cancer risk and barriers to screening, diagnosis and treatment to reduce health disparities
  • Developing and implementing research targeting cancer and other chronic illnesses that are most problematic in our communities
  • Building multisectoral partnerships with community hospitals and providers, payors and policy makers, community health and faith-based organizations, and advocates and health leaders to  better reach and serve our increasingly diverse communities


Our community responsive research is targeting:

  • Aggressive cancers that are more common in ethnic minorities and young adults
  • Cancers caused by viruses, including hepatocellular carcinoma, HPV- and HIV-related cancers
  • Cancers that may be impacted by environment that results in genetic mutations
  • The relationship between diabetes and cancer
  • Patient-centered outcomes, including quality of life and survivorship
     

Through Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, we established the Division of Health Equities. The Division of Health Equities has a strong a commitment to eliminate disparities in health. Achieving health equity requires holistically addressing its determinants—social, biological, cultural, economic, geographic, political, and physical environmental conditions. The division is the home for researchers, community health educators, and staff who facilitate the translation of scientific knowledge into community practice to reduce and eliminate inequalities in cancer outcomes. It provides special attention to the needs of those at greatest risk of poor health. Its goal is to ensure that all people have opportunities to attain their full health potential that enable them to lead optimal lives. 

The Cancer Center Community Outreach and Engagement (COE) is housed within the Center of Community Alliance for Research & Education (CCARE) in the Division of Health Equities. COE efforts began in 2006 with the creation of CCARE as City of Hope's comprehensive cancer center's response to persistent cancer health disparities. The COE team engages and works via a community-scientist-clinician collaborative with full participation of our multiethnic, multisectoral COE community advisory board stakeholders to reduce catchment area cancer burden and inequities. 

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