Population health assessment in NCI-designated cancer center catchment areas

Abstract

In May 2016, the NCI announced supplemental funding for highlights the results from those catchment area data collec-NCI-Designated Cancer Centers to conduct research to better tion efforts. Articles highlight research from surveys conducted characterize populations within cancer center catchment areas. to define and describe cancer center catchment areas using The initiative was intended to support primary data collection both probability and nonprobability designs and a variety of efforts to better define and describe cancer center catchment sampling techniques, survey modes, and data linkages. Some areas using a multilevel population health framework. The articles report pooled analyses of data collected by multiple long-term goal was to facilitate collaborations in which cancer centers to highlight local versus national comparisons researchers, providers, public health practitioners, and non-based on standardized behavioral and demographic measures. profit organizations could utilize the data to develop or Others examine rural–urban differences in measures relevant expand applied cancer control research, planning, and imple-to cancer prevention and control. The studies published in this mentation, with an emphasis on local health disparities and Focus will provide the field with a myriad of methodologic communication inequalities. This CEBP Focus issue on "Pop-approaches for defining and describing cancer center catch-ulation Health Assessment in Cancer Center Catchment Areas" ment areas.