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The CBPAR approach allows Williams and her colleagues to strategize about ways to address tobacco use and chronicle the development of the initiative through qualitative methods including participant observation, focus group data, key informant interviews and historical archives. Since its inception last year, the initiative has successfully changed local policies about smoking on church property and developed community-based tobacco prevention activities, such as a 2006 Kick Butts Community Forum and a 2007 World No Tobacco Day Event.

Initiative members take part in service-learning projects, which include assessing the needs of and tailoring programs for nearly 7,000 members of the more than 20 churches active in the program.

Nashville is firmly in the Bible Belt of the United States, Williams says, and the connection between church and community provides researchers with a vital avenue for preventing tobacco use.

Our work involves an active process for change the community might not listen to public service announcements, but they will listen to pastors, friends and family members who speak out about their cancer experiences, Williams said. Beyond listening, they are motivated to act on behalf of their health. When that happens, addressing cancer disparities moves from rhetoric to action.

Colorectal Cancer Screening Knowledge and Awareness on the Navajo Reservation, Abstract no. B-38

Some minority populations in the United States are so isolated from mainstream cancer awareness efforts, they seem like separate nations unto themselves a literal distinction for Navajo Indians. In t
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