Addressing cancer health disparities using a global biopsychosocial approach

Cancer. 2010 Jan 15;116(2):264-9. doi: 10.1002/cncr.24765.

Abstract

The Center for Research on Minority Health has translated the biopsychosocial framework to address global cancer health disparities through the integration of biological (eg, endogenous steroids, genetic susceptibility, and pesticide levels) and behavioral (eg, dietary interventions) determinants, along with community-based research (eg, comprehensive involvement of community advisory boards) and educational approaches (eg, kindergarten through postgraduate training). Evidence of successful implementation of this framework includes health disparities training for >2000 individuals ranging from elementary to the postgraduate level, and conducting transdisciplinary projects that incorporate traditional and nontraditional health professionals to examine associations between biological and nonbiological determinants of health. Examples and recommendations for implementation of the biopsychosocial approach as it applies to cancer health disparities research are described.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Biomedical Research
  • Community Participation*
  • Community-Institutional Relations
  • Cooperative Behavior
  • Government Programs
  • Health Education
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
  • Health Status Disparities*
  • Healthcare Disparities*
  • Humans
  • Interdisciplinary Communication*
  • International Cooperation
  • Neoplasms / ethnology
  • Neoplasms / prevention & control*
  • Psychology
  • Research Design*
  • Sociology