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_{The Cancer Prevention and Control Research Network (CPCRN)}

The Cancer Prevention and Control Research Network (CPCRN) is a national network of academic, public health, and community partners who work together to reduce the burden of cancer among all populations. Its members conduct community-based participatory cancer research across its eight network centers, crossing academic affiliations and geographic boundaries. CPCRN is a thematic research network of the Prevention Research Centers (PRCs), which are CDC’s flagship program for preventing and controlling chronic diseases.

CPCRN Year 6 Kickoff Meeting (February 13 – 14, 2025)

ATLANTA, February 14, 2025, Emory Conference Center Hotel served as the venue for the CPCRN Year 6 Kickoff Meeting. The representative universities in attendance were Georgia State University, Emory University, Harvard University, New York University/CUNY, University of Iowa, University of North Carolina, University of Pennsylvania, University of South Carolina, and the University of Utah.

The HHCGA—which was represented by Executive Director and Vice Chairman, Shirley E “Bella” Borghi—was the only Community Based Organization (CBO) in attendance as a result of a specific invitation by CPCRN for their important initiative with Georgia State University.

Smoking and Hispanic/Latino Communities

Smoking is responsible for 30% of all cancer deaths and 80% of lung cancer deaths in the United States. Hispanic/Latinos communities experience high levels of tobacco-related morbidity and mortality. Among U.S adults who smoke, Hispanic/Latinos are less likely to receive advice to quit by health professionals and to use smoking cessation counseling and/or medication, despite their high interest in quitting.

Moreover, high stress is a critical barrier to smoking cessation among Hispanic/Latinos. There is an urgent need to increase access to and use of culturally appropriate smoking cessation interventions that address barriers to cessation for Hispanic/Latinos communities. Digital health interventions are a cost-effective way to increase access to smoking cessation treatment. Mindfulness-based interventions also show promise for promoting psychosocial functioning and smoking cessation.

However, cultural adaptations, as well as strategies for their successful implementation in healthcare and community settings, are needed to increase intervention impact and reach. This project will culturally and linguistically adapt an evidence-based digital health smoking cessation intervention, iQuit Mindfully, for Hispanic/Latinos. Using implementation mapping, Georgia State University and the HHCGA will engage in a systematic process for gathering in-depth, iterative community feedback to adapt and optimize the intervention, and to guide implementation practices and maintenance of this intervention in real world settings.

University Overviews

Georgia State University

Smoking is responsible for 30% of all cancer deaths and 80% of lung cancer deaths in the United States. Hispanic/Latino communities experience high levels of tobacco related morbidity and mortality. The GSU CPCRN Collaborating Center will engage in large-scale network efforts to increase the impact of this project in partnership with the HHCGA and others on cancer prevention and control.

Emory University

Despite the growing number of evidence-based cancer prevention and control interventions and strategies to reduce the burden of cancer, most are not well adopted in local clinical or community settings. The Emory CPCRN will increase the translation of cancer and lung cancer screening (LCS) evidence into local communities and health systems.

Harvard University

The Massachusetts Cancer Prevention and Control Research Network (MCPCRN) will focus on advancing cancer control equity by strengthening CHCs’ capacity to deliver evidence-based tobacco treatment, and transition to a broader network that supports cross-center efforts to accelerate the implementation and reach of evidence-based interventions for cancer prevention and control.

New York University – CUNY

The New York City (NYC) Cancer Prevention and Control Research Network Collaborating Center (CPCRN) builds on the multi-disciplinary expertise and community partner networks of the NYU CUNY Prevention Research Center. The goals are to employ social determinants of health (SDoH) strategies to reduce preventable cancers, increase early cancer screening and detection, and improve cancer equity among low income, minoritized populations in urban areas.

University of Iowa

The University of Iowa’s Prevention Research Center for Rural Health’s CPCRN Core Research Project will focus on investigating, understanding, and working toward reducing the burden of cancers in rural and micropolitan communities in Iowa. Our collaborating center continues to be dedicated to enhancing the health of people who live in rural and micropolitan areas, which includes strengthening existing CPCRN collaboration and supporting the adoption of evidence-based interventions across the cancer continuum.

University of North Carolina

The 4CNC Core Research Project, PACTS (Pharmacy-Assisted Cessation of Tobacco and Screening), is a pharmacy-based lung cancer screening shared decision-making program (LCS SDM). Our central hypothesis is that LCS SDM, in conjunction with pharmacy delivered tobacco cessation services, will be acceptable and feasible among pharmacy staff and eligible patients in community pharmacies.

University of Pennsylvania

The UPenn PRC Collaborating Center of the CPCRN will lead and manage a program of community-based cancer prevention and control research. The center’s core research project will implement and evaluate evidence-based strategies to increase cancer risk assessment and risk-stratified management for breast and colorectal cancer, for disadvantaged and minority adult patients at Federally Qualified Health Centers in collaboration with community partners at The Public Health Management Corporation (PHMC). 

University of South Carolina

In strong partnership with the South Carolina Cancer Alliance; federally qualified health centers; and other academic, clinical, community, and faith-based partners, the SC-CPCRN uses evidence-based approaches for the D&I of efficacious cancer prevention and control messages, guidelines, and interventions.

University of Utah

The specific aims are to (1) evaluate the impact of implementation strategies on LCS eligibility screening, SDM completion, and LCS completion, (2) characterize multi-level factors that influence implementation and effectiveness outcomes, and (3) identify and classify adaptations to implementation strategies that occur throughout the study.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about CPCRN, HHCGA, and community-driven cancer prevention.

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1. What is the Cancer Prevention and Control Research Network (CPCRN)?
   The CPCRN is a national network of academic, public health, and community partners focused on reducing cancer burdens across various populations. It is a thematic research network of the CDC’s Prevention Research Centers, conducting community-based participatory research to improve cancer prevention and control efforts.
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2. What was the focus of the CPCRN Year 6 Kickoff Meeting?
   The Year 6 Kickoff Meeting brought together representatives from nine universities, along with the Hispanic Health Coalition of Georgia (HHCGA), to discuss new and ongoing projects aimed at improving cancer prevention and control. Topics included smoking cessation strategies, digital health interventions, and culturally tailored outreach.
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3. Why is smoking cessation for Hispanic/Latino communities so important?
   Smoking causes 30% of all cancer deaths and 80% of lung cancer deaths in the United States. Hispanic/Latino communities face high tobacco-related health risks but often receive fewer quit-smoking resources or tailored counseling. Addressing these disparities can significantly reduce preventable illnesses and deaths in these communities.
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4. What is the “iQuit Mindfully” project mentioned in the article?
   “iQuit Mindfully” is an evidence-based digital health smoking cessation intervention. Georgia State University and HHCGA are culturally adapting this program to address barriers, such as stress and lack of access, that Hispanic/Latino individuals often encounter when trying to quit smoking.
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5. Which universities are part of this CPCRN collaboration?
   The network includes Georgia State University, Emory University, Harvard University, New York University (NYU/CUNY), University of Iowa, University of North Carolina, University of Pennsylvania, University of South Carolina, and the University of Utah. Each institution focuses on different aspects of cancer prevention research.
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6. Why was HHCGA’s participation at the CPCRN Meeting significant?
   HHCGA was the only Community Based Organization invited, highlighting its important role in bridging academic research and real-world community needs. Their involvement ensures that interventions, such as smoking cessation programs, are culturally appropriate and effectively reach underserved Hispanic/Latino populations.
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7. How can I learn more or get involved with CPCRN or HHCGA?
   To explore CPCRN’s work, visit the CDC’s Prevention Research Centers or partner university websites. For HHCGA initiatives—including smoking cessation outreach and other health programs—visit hhcga.org. Both organizations welcome community members, researchers, and healthcare professionals interested in collaborative efforts to reduce cancer disparities.

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