142nd APHA Annual Meeting and Exposition

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Elucidating the association between perceived cancer risk, neighborhood environment, and risk-reducing health behaviors among African Americans in at-risk communities

142nd APHA Annual Meeting and Exposition (November 15 - November 19, 2014): http://www.apha.org/events-and-meetings/annual
Monday, November 17, 2014

LaShanta Rice, PhD, MPH , Health Promotion, Education and Behavior, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC
Heather M. Brandt, PhD, CHES , Department of Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior & Cancer Prevention and Control Program, University of South Carolina-Arnold School of Public Health, Columbia, SC
Lucy Annang, PhD , Arnold School of Public Health, Health Promotion Education and Behavior, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC
James W. Hardin, PhD , Department of Biostatistics, University of South Carolina Arnold School of Public Health, Columbia, SC
Sacoby Wilson, PhD, MS , Community Engagement, Environmental Justice, and Health (CEEJH), University of Maryland-College Park, College Park, MD
Saundra Glover, MBA, PhD , Institute for Partnerships to Eliminate Health Disparities, University of South Carolina - Arnold School of Public Health, Columbia, SC
Background:  Studies have demonstrated an association between perceptions and environmental health risk and cancer risk separately, but a paucity of research has explored perceptions as a concurrent contributor of health disparities in at-risk populations. We explored the relationship between perceived cancer (PCR) and socioeconomic factors, neighborhood environment, and risk-reducing health behaviors.

Methods: A 59-item community environmental health survey was administered in Metropolitan Charleston (Berkeley, Charleston, and Dorchester Counties) from March 2013 to September 2013. A convenience sample of 405 adults was recruited at local venues (e.g., libraries, housing authority, and hair salons) and community events. Multivariate logistic regressions were performed in SAS 9.3. 

Results: Respondents (N=405) were 99% African American, 81% female (n=322), 19% male (n=75), and ranged from 18 to 87 years of age.  Low PCR when measured by likelihood of cancer was associated with non-alcohol use (p=0.0476, p=0.0457) and sex (p=0.0097, p=0.0072), and using sunscreen often (p=0.0471).  Age groups 25-44 (p=0.0276) and 45-64 (p=0.0439) were associated with lower perceived risk of cancer. When measured by worry, PCR was significantly associated with non-alcohol use, being a current smoker, minimal sunscreen use (i.e. rarely or never), and the belief that the environment plays no role in the development of cancer.

Conclusions: Our findings suggest that perceived cancer risk is an important indicator of risk-reducing health behaviors and environmental health risks among African Americans. Evaluating perceived cancer risks in environmentally vulnerable populations has long term implications for controlling cancer through preventive action. Future studies will investigate the triangulation between neighborhood environment, risk perceptions and health behaviors.

Learning Areas:

Environmental health sciences
Public health or related research
Social and behavioral sciences

Learning Objectives:
Evaluate the relationship between perceived cancer risks and socioeconomic characteristics, environmental conditions, and health behaviors; Analyze the best measure of perceived cancer risk when documenting community beliefs; and Discuss the role of perceptions in disease risk, health behaviors, and development of disease

Keyword(s): Cancer, Risk Factors/Assesment

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I serve as the leader of the project described in the abstract, which focuses on environmental determinants and perceptions of cancer risk. I have worked with this community for the last 4 years and I have conducted community-based research focused on addressing health disparities for 7 years.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

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