Open AccessThe Meharry-Vanderbilt-Tennessee State University Cancer Partnership (MVTCP): History and Highlights of 20 Years of Accomplishments
Author(s) -
Tuya Pal,
Sarah V. Suiter,
Harold L. Moses,
Duane T. Smoot,
A. E. Richmond,
Venkataswarup Tiriveedhi,
Margaret M. Whalen,
Samuel E. Adunyah
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
journal of health care for the poor and underserved
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.511
H-Index - 59
eISSN - 1548-6869
pISSN - 1049-2089
DOI - 10.1353/hpu.2022.0032
Subject(s) - general partnership , health equity , cancer , cancer incidence , medicine , gerontology , socioeconomic status , incidence (geometry) , environmental health , political science , public health , nursing , population , physics , optics , law
Cancer health disparities among populations are the result of a combination of socioeconomic, environmental, behavioral, and biological factors, which affect cancer incidence, prevalence, mortality, survivorship, financial burden, and screening rates. The long-standing Meharry Medical College (MMC), Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center (VICC), Tennessee State University (TSU) Cancer Partnership has built an exceptional cancer research and training environment to support the efforts of diverse investigators in addressing disparities. Over the past 20 years, collaborative partnership efforts across multiple disciplines have supported research into the determinants of cancer health disparities at a National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center (VICC) along with enhancing research infrastructure and training at MMC and TSU, two institutions that serve predominantly underserved populations and underrepresented students. Moreover, the geographical placement of this partnership in Tennessee, a region with some of the highest cancer incidence and mortality in the United States, has provided an especially important opportunity to positively affect outcomes for cancer patients.