UNMC’s Jungyoon Kim, PhD, received a top honor from the American Public Health Association for her groundbreaking “BEAT Cancer” project to expand colorectal cancer screening in the African American community.
Dr. Kim, an associate professor in the UNMC College of Public Health’s Department of Health Services Research and Administration and a member of the Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, is principal investigator behind the research project and outreach effort entitled, “BEAT Cancer: An Innovative Multi-Sector Partnership Approach to Increase Colorectal Cancer Screening Among African Americans.”
At an American Public Health Association session in October, Dr. Kim was awarded the 2024 APHA Cancer Forum Health Equity Award
Dr. Kim’s initiative partners with the Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles, the Douglas County Treasurer’s Office and additional community stakeholders to address disparities in colorectal cancer screening access for African American communities in Nebraska.
“I am deeply grateful for this prestigious award, which recognizes our innovative cancer screening initiative,” Dr. Kim said. “This national acknowledgment highlights the impact of our work in collaboration with the community.”
Dr. Kim added, “I want to express my sincere thanks to all of the members of the BEAT Cancer team, including our advisory board, partners and especially the true heroes — our community health workers — who tirelessly engage with residents in the Department of Motor Vehicles and the Douglas County Treasurer’s Office locations, ensuring they are aware of and have access to these important screening opportunities.”
Through outreach at Department of Motor Vehicle and treasurer’s office locations, the BEAT Cancer team reached more than 3,500 individuals in the first year of the project. A total of 340 individuals participated in the study and received at-home, fecal-based screening kits, and 119 participants returned the completed kits for testing.
Among the returned kits, 19 revealed positive results.
The study supported participants, especially those without a primary care provider or health insurance, in navigating services for follow-up colonoscopies.
Eight people completed a colonoscopy, and six were found to have polyps or adenomas, which were successfully removed as part of their treatment.
As the project enters its second year, the BEAT Cancer team has expanded its outreach through a targeted social media campaign, aiming to increase awareness and screening rates in the community. The team, alongside its community advisory board, is committed to reducing colon cancer disparities by enhancing community engagement and access to essential screenings.
The American Public Health Association Cancer Forum will continue to spotlight Dr. Kim’s work through an upcoming webinar, further sharing insights from the BEAT Cancer initiative and inspiring other public health professionals to address health disparities in innovative, community-centered ways.
For more information on the BEAT Cancer initiative, visit the campaign’s Facebook page.