An Analysis of Grants Focused on Health Disparities Held by the National Cancer Institute's Health Communication and Informatics Research Branch, 2010-2024.

Abstract

Health communication can both reinforce and reduce adverse differences in cancer outcomes between groups. However, characteristics of cancer communication research aiming to reduce these health disparities have not been systematically assessed. Awarded research project grants in the National Cancer Institute's Health Communication and Informatics Research Branch (NCI-HCIRB) portfolio (2010-2024; n = 159) were coded to identify disparities focus and population(s) of interest. Disparities-focused grants were subsequently coded for cancer topic areas (e.g. cancer type) and research approach (i.e. methods, measures, analysis plan). Out of 159 grants, 64 (40%) had a health disparities focus. Of these, 78% developed or tested an intervention and 86% included a sample entirely comprised of populations known to experience health disparities. The most common populations of interest were racial or ethnic minority groups (55%), populations with lower socioeconomic status (20%), and rural residents (19%). Disparities-focused grants spanned varying cancer topics, including cancer prevention (53%) and breast cancer (27%). Nearly three-quarters of grants used both qualitative and quantitative research methods, and over one-third included community or participant engagement strategies. Drivers of health disparities were rarely measured beyond the individual level. Research may further prioritize engagement with affected communities and efforts to understand and address interpersonal and environmental factors influencing adverse differences in cancer outcomes.