Community-driven solutions to improve access to cancer care
Washington University Advancing Cancer Control Engaged Research through Transformative Solutions Center (Wash-U-ACCERT)
Trying community-led ways to make cancer care easier to get and more responsive for people with advanced and other cancers.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11166614 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This center teams university researchers with community partners to develop and test practical interventions that address barriers to cancer care. Work happens at multiple levels—patients, providers, clinics, and communities—to tackle cost, provider availability, physical access, service fit, and attitudes about care. A shared research methods and data core will support projects, collect consistent measures, and help share what works across sites. The center focuses on community-engaged approaches so solutions are grounded in local needs and can be scaled if successful.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with advanced cancers or anyone in participating communities who faces trouble accessing cancer screening, diagnosis, or treatment are the main candidates for engagement in center projects.
Not a fit: Patients who live outside partner communities or whose care problems stem from issues other than access (for example, cancers without effective treatments) may not see direct benefit from these activities.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reduce barriers so patients get diagnosis and treatment sooner and experience better cancer outcomes.
How similar studies have performed: Related community-engaged and multi-level interventions have improved screening and follow-up in some settings, but this organized center-level approach is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
Saint Louis, United States
- Washington University — Saint Louis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Drake, Bettina F. — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Drake, Bettina F.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.