Commentary: Utilizing Community-Engaged Approaches to Investigate and Address Hmong Women’s Cancer Disparities

Cancer is a growing concern for women in the Hmong community. Hmong women experience poor health outcomes for both cervical and breast cancer, largely due to low rates of screening and resultant late-stage at diagnosis. Both breast and cervical cancer screening are complicated by a multitude of soci...

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Main Author: Shannon M. Sparks
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Hmong Studies Journal 2014-12-01
Series:Hmong Studies Journal
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.hmongstudiesjournal.org/uploads/4/5/8/7/4587788/sparksetalhsj15.pdf
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author Shannon M. Sparks
author_facet Shannon M. Sparks
author_sort Shannon M. Sparks
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description Cancer is a growing concern for women in the Hmong community. Hmong women experience poor health outcomes for both cervical and breast cancer, largely due to low rates of screening and resultant late-stage at diagnosis. Both breast and cervical cancer screening are complicated by a multitude of social, cultural and environmental factors which influence health care decision-making and can otherwise serve to restrict access. We argue that community-engaged research, an orientation which prioritizes collaborative, equitable partnerships and community voice in identifying both problems and solutions, can be a valuable approach to helping address cancer health disparities for Hmong women. Using the Milwaukee-based “Healthy Hmong Women” project as a case example, we detail how the community-engaged approach implemented by the project partners was critical in identifying factors contributing to Hmong cancer disparities and appropriate interventions, as well as the overall acceptance and success of the project. Specifically, we discuss how this approach: (1) promoted community investment and ownership in the project; (2) facilitated the integration of local perspectives and experiences; (3) built capacity to address cancer screening disparities; (4) facilitated the creation of interventions targeting multiple ecological levels; and (5) framed the community as the foundation and driver of positive change.
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spelling doaj.art-f62bacd6512a4d46a23b46320ab3c0d82023-01-05T17:27:50ZengHmong Studies JournalHmong Studies Journal1091-17742014-12-01151118Commentary: Utilizing Community-Engaged Approaches to Investigate and Address Hmong Women’s Cancer DisparitiesShannon M. SparksCancer is a growing concern for women in the Hmong community. Hmong women experience poor health outcomes for both cervical and breast cancer, largely due to low rates of screening and resultant late-stage at diagnosis. Both breast and cervical cancer screening are complicated by a multitude of social, cultural and environmental factors which influence health care decision-making and can otherwise serve to restrict access. We argue that community-engaged research, an orientation which prioritizes collaborative, equitable partnerships and community voice in identifying both problems and solutions, can be a valuable approach to helping address cancer health disparities for Hmong women. Using the Milwaukee-based “Healthy Hmong Women” project as a case example, we detail how the community-engaged approach implemented by the project partners was critical in identifying factors contributing to Hmong cancer disparities and appropriate interventions, as well as the overall acceptance and success of the project. Specifically, we discuss how this approach: (1) promoted community investment and ownership in the project; (2) facilitated the integration of local perspectives and experiences; (3) built capacity to address cancer screening disparities; (4) facilitated the creation of interventions targeting multiple ecological levels; and (5) framed the community as the foundation and driver of positive change. https://www.hmongstudiesjournal.org/uploads/4/5/8/7/4587788/sparksetalhsj15.pdfhmong womencancerhealth disparities
spellingShingle Shannon M. Sparks
Commentary: Utilizing Community-Engaged Approaches to Investigate and Address Hmong Women’s Cancer Disparities
Hmong Studies Journal
hmong women
cancer
health disparities
title Commentary: Utilizing Community-Engaged Approaches to Investigate and Address Hmong Women’s Cancer Disparities
title_full Commentary: Utilizing Community-Engaged Approaches to Investigate and Address Hmong Women’s Cancer Disparities
title_fullStr Commentary: Utilizing Community-Engaged Approaches to Investigate and Address Hmong Women’s Cancer Disparities
title_full_unstemmed Commentary: Utilizing Community-Engaged Approaches to Investigate and Address Hmong Women’s Cancer Disparities
title_short Commentary: Utilizing Community-Engaged Approaches to Investigate and Address Hmong Women’s Cancer Disparities
title_sort commentary utilizing community engaged approaches to investigate and address hmong women s cancer disparities
topic hmong women
cancer
health disparities
url https://www.hmongstudiesjournal.org/uploads/4/5/8/7/4587788/sparksetalhsj15.pdf
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