NNACC is one of the most successful community education interventions with which NACR was involved. It was funded by National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD) from from 2008 to 2014. It was a community based participatory research study among 7 Partners:
The 7th partner was included from 2010-2013 via Native Navigation across the Cancer Continuum in Comanche Nation (PI: Eschiti, R15 NR 012195).
The goal was for the Partners to collaborate, refine, expand and adapt navigator/community education programs to address the AI communities’ and patients’ needs throughout the continuum of cancer care (outreach and education, prevention, early detection, survivorship, palliative care and end-of-life). The research question was, "Can a Native specific comprehensive Navigator-implemented community cancer education intervention improve health behaviors among Native American community members?" The study intervention implemented and evaluated 3-6 series of 24-hours of community education workshops at each site. Content addressed topics within the full continuum of cancer care. Native Patient Navigators (NPNs) implemented and evaluated the workshops. The purposes of these workshops were to (1) increase cancer knowledge and (2) increase the visibility and accessibility of the NPNs who were available to (a) schedule screening appointments, (b) carry out follow-up recommendations, and (c) provide support and education for those diagnosed with cancer. The aim among the original four AI programs was to reach 600 unduplicated American Indians and when Muscogee (Creek) Nation joined, 138 were added. The study was incredibly successful with 1,964 unduplicated participants taking part in the program, far surpassing the initial 738 participants. The Navigator-implemented workshops increased participants' knowledge by over 23%, the workshops increased the visibility of navigators and 77 cancer patients were assisted by the navigators to obtain cancer care services in a timely manner.
NIMHD required Scientific Advances (1-page summaries) of significant outcomes each year. These summaries are linked here.