Novel Platforms of Education to Engage Black and African Americans in Lung Cancer Screening

Abstract

Introduction

Black and African Americans face a higher risk and greater mortality from lung cancer than other racial groups. Despite the proven benefits of lung cancer screening, Black and African Americans, who derive even greater benefit from screening than other races, are less likely to participate. This study aims to increase the uptake of lung cancer screening by employing novel platforms for patient-centered education and engagement.

Methods

In an urban, safety-net health institution, the authors utilized existing relationships with patients and clinical sites to disseminate patient-oriented information about lung cancer and screening through in-person education events, virtual community meetings, and patient story videos and recordings from January 2020 to December 2022. Outcome measures included the number of lung cancer screenings from January 2013 to December 2023 and adherence to annual follow-up from January 2014 to December 2022.

Results

Lung cancer screening increased from 739 in 2020 to 2,067 in 2022, with 30.6% conducted among Black and African American patients. However, adherence to annual screening remains low, with 27.2% adhering to 1 annual screen, 7.1% adhering to 2 annual screens, and 6.6% adhering to 3 or more consecutive screens in 2022. Black and African Americans were significantly less likely to adhere to 1 and 3 or more annual lung cancer screenings.

Conclusions

The utilization of multiple platforms to disseminate lung cancer screening education and engagement may have a positive impact on overall screening uptake among Black and African Americans. However, additional interventions must be devised to address low adherence to annual screening.