Current Projects
Eliminating Disparities In Clinical Trials (EDICT) Project
The Chronic Disease Prevention and Control Research Center and the Intercultural Cancer Council are conducting a four-year (2005-2009) research program that addresses problems and solutions related to improving participation of minority and underserved patients in oncology and asthma clinical trials. The four-year study is funded by Genentech, Inc.
For more information about this project see . . .
http://www.bcm.edu/edict
Biennial Symposium on Minorities, the Medically Underserved & Cancer, Intercultural Cancer Council (ICC) and ICC Collegiate Cancer Council
Initiated in 1987, the Biennial Symposium series provides the stage on which we shine a spotlight on the issue of disproportionate cancer incidence, morbidity and mortality in minority and medically underserved populations in the United States and its associated territories. The Symposium brings together those who represent all aspects and perspectives of the disease in collaboration with the leadership and front-line personnel from the affected communities. Its purpose is to engage in a dialogue that explores issues, finds solutions, and make recommendations for the various complex problems related to cancer. Over the years the Biennial Symposium series gave birth to the Intercultural Cancer Council (ICC) and the ICC Collegiate Cancer Council. The Center assumes fiscal and organizational management for these two organizations of volunteers and provides them with a national office, Websites and the resources to build a National Network of organizations and individuals who share their goals for eliminating health disparities.
To learn more about the Intercultural Cancer Council and the Biennial Symposium see . . .
http://iccnetwork.org
To learn more about the ICC Collegiate Cancer Council see . . .
http://ccc.iccnetwork.org
Voices of the Community Project
The Voices of the Community Project extends the outreach of the Intercultural Cancer Council's National Network into local communities. The purpose of the project is to increase dialogue, awareness and mutual support among local Community Based Organizations (CBOs), individuals involved with their respective state, territorial or tribal Comprehensive Cancer Control Plans (CCCPs) and the regional leadership of the ICC National Network. ICC Regional Representatives serve as mentors and educators for ICC community partners. These relationships provide a framework for program expansion and provide entrée into the communities served, opening doors to bring additional groups into this movement. The ICC National Network consists of eight regions: the Northeast, Southeast, Southwest, West-Northwest, Mid-West, Mid-Atlantic, Puerto Rico and the U. S. Virgin Islands, and Hawaii and the Pacific Islands.
For more information about the ICC National Network see . . .
http://iccnetwork.org/join
Environmental Health Section Projects
The Environmental Health Section was formed within the Chronic Disease Research Center in 2001. The section is particularly involved with community outreach and education of health care professionals about environmental health issues, as well as with developing geospatial and biostatistical tools to better understand the effects of exposure to environmental toxicants on health.
For information about current Environmental Health Section projects, see . . .
http://www.bcm.edu/cdrc/documents/EHS_PROJECTS_20070718.pdf
Also see the Sections's Houston-Area Envrionmental Health Website . . .
http://envirohealthhouston.org
Epidemiology and Interventions Program Projects
The Epidemiology and Interventions Program (EPIP) is a multidisciplinary program, with the goals of assessing the environmental and biological determinants of risks for breast and prostate cancers in high-risk and underserved populations, and applying the acquired knowledge to prevent these cancers. The EPIP has two components, namely the Clinical Epidemiological, and the Interventions components. The Clinical Epidemiological component involves the use of psychometric, clinical and laboratory-based methods to assess the risk and protective factors for breast and prostate cancers in the targeted populations. The Interventions component involves the conduct of cognitive interventions to enhance informed decision-making by high-risk women, as well as their care-givers with respect to novel preventive strategies such as breast cancer chemoprevention with tamoxifen and raloxifene, and the conduct of prophylactic and therapeutic chemoprevention trials to reduce the risk of invasive disease in high-risk persons and cancer patients respectively.
learn more about current Epidemiology and Interventions Program projects
Education and Training Initiatives
Education and training activities are at the core of the Center's priorities. Activities include participation in the state wide Cancer Teaching and Curriculum Enhancement in Undergraduate Medicine (CATCHUM) Project, conducting a cancer prevention elective for preclinical medical students, development of educational materials on culturally competent patient care and international training activities.
learn more about the Center's education and training initiatives
Continuing Medical Education Needs Assessment Projects
Since 1995 the Center has conducted more than twenty five surveys evaluating the continuing medical education needs of Texas physicians in collaboration with the Texas Medical Association, researchers from other Baylor College of Medicine departments and colleagues at other institutions.
learn more about the Center's CME needs assessments projects
