Community Gateway for Better Cancer Screening and Support
THE COMMUNITY GATEWAY STUDY
This program brings community groups, clinics, and digital tools together to help people served by community health centers get cancer screenings and tobacco treatment.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Harvard University D/b/a Harvard School of Public Health NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11171390 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would be part of a program that strengthens community health centers to deliver proven cancer screenings and tobacco-cessation help while building social and civic connections in your neighborhood. The project works on four pathways—social ties, civic engagement, digital skills and access, and access to evidence-based care—to make it easier for residents to find resources and for clinics to deliver care. A community-led partner (Union Capital) will help residents connect, share resources, and organize to change local policies that affect cancer prevention. Clinics and community groups in participating cities will be supported to reach more people and improve screening and treatment services.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are people who get care at the participating community health centers, especially adults due for breast, cervical, or colorectal screening or who want tobacco-cessation support.
Not a fit: People who do not receive care from the participating community health centers or whose needs are unrelated to cancer screening or tobacco use are unlikely to benefit directly.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could increase access to cancer screening and quitting support for people who rely on community health centers.
How similar studies have performed: Community and clinic-based programs have improved screening and tobacco-cessation in some groups, but combining community-led civic engagement with clinic capacity building is a newer approach.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Harvard University D/b/a Harvard School of Public Health — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Emmons, Karen M. — Harvard University D/b/a Harvard School of Public Health
- Study coordinator: Emmons, Karen M.
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.