The PRC and the Washington University Implementation Science Center for Cancer Control (WU-ISC3) are excited to announce the official start of a new grant funded by the National Cancer Institute titled, “Advancing Health Equity through the Development of a Scholars Program in Implementation Science.” WU-ISC3 is collaborating with researchers at Harvard University, University of Colorado- Denver, Georgia State University and University of Wisconsin-Madison on a health equity project to create an actionable mentoring and training plan for under-represented scholars in implementation science for cancer prevention and control. This training will be tailored to the unique needs and preferences of these scholars and will address cancer inequities.
The project kicked off in October. Work has begun to conduct a scoping review of health equity and implementation science training programs and to plan upcoming concept mapping to develop core competencies needed. The grant is on a fast-track timeline, with 18 months to complete the three aims: 1) conduct an environmental scan of health equity and implementation science training programs, 2) develop the curriculum and mentorship plan with a diverse group of scholars and trainers, and 3) pilot test an equity in implementation science training course with a diverse group of scholars and trainers. Team members at WashU include Ross Brownson, Maura Kepper, Ana Baumann, Sarah Pritchard, Rebekah Jacob, Cheryl Valko, Mary Adams and Linda Dix.
The research team is excited about this work and its potential to have a meaningful impact in helping to achieve health equity. The training course is expected to increase capacity of those involved in implementation science and health equity by providing a set of evidence-informed competencies and a model curriculum specific to cancer equity and implementation science. It may also benefit other implementation and mentoring programs by providing tools and approaches to incorporate equity into their existing curricula. The research team hopes that this study may be a launching pad for a future multi-site training program.