Community Gateway Study: boosting cancer screening and care in communities
Official title: THE COMMUNITY GATEWAY STUDY
Funded at Harvard University D/b/a Harvard School of Public Health · NIH-11419781 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A multi-level program working with community health centers to improve breast cancer screening and tobacco treatment, while strengthening social connections and digital access for patients.
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 start | August 16, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $646,052 |
| NIH project number | 5U19CA291431-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11419781 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Residents of communities served by participating community health centers who are engaged in cancer screening and tobacco treatment efforts.
✕Less likely to help
Some individuals may not experience direct benefit if they are not users of the participating centers or if the intervention does not address their specific barriers.
What this research studies
This project partners with community health centers to strengthen how cancer screening and prevention are delivered in real-world settings. It focuses on four pathways—social ties, civic engagement, digital skills, and access to evidence-based care—to build community capacity for cancer control. Led by Union Capital and Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, the study uses community and health system collaboration to improve resources and policy engagement that can help residents access better cancer screening services. The work will be implemented in a real-world healthcare delivery environment over several years to see how these approaches influence outcomes. Patient and community voices will be integrated to shape how cancer control programs are delivered in their neighborhoods.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients in participating communities may have better access to timely cancer screening and supportive services.
How similar studies have gone: Previous projects show that community-led approaches can improve engagement and screening uptake in diverse populations.
Where this research is happening
-
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.
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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.