WCLC 2025 - Posters & ePosters-P3.16.20 Improving Lung Cancer Screening Uptake in 20 Disadvantaged New York Counties: Early Findings From a Demonstration Project

P3.16.20 Improving Lung Cancer Screening Uptake in 20 Disadvantaged New York Counties: Early Findings From a Demonstration Project

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This early-stage demonstration project aims to improve lung cancer screening (LCS) uptake across 20 disadvantaged counties in western and central New York, addressing systemic barriers such as low patient/provider awareness and healthcare access disparities. The initiative leverages four key interventions: stakeholder engagement, quality screening initiatives, a Lung Cancer Navigator Network, and healthcare provider education. <br /><br />The project fosters community mobilization by building a growing network of dedicated leaders—including public health officials, community-based organizations, healthcare providers, and cancer navigators—committed to identifying eligible individuals and improving referral pathways. Efforts have led to newly designated lung cancer screening Centers of Excellence (COEs) and partnerships with 26 health systems and Veteran Health Administration facilities. <br /><br />A professional Navigator Network, launched in March 2025, now includes 35 navigators from 11 healthcare systems, with ongoing education and development to enhance their role in lung cancer care advocacy. The project has also developed a 16-course micro-education series for primary care providers and community health teams to increase competency and awareness around LCS, with the course bundle launching in February 2025.<br /><br />Key accomplishments to date include engagement with 39 community and public health leaders, 29 community-based organizations, and 32 primary care practices covering over 98 offices. Additionally, 23 key informant interviews identified barriers, knowledge gaps, and educational needs informing the intervention design.<br /><br />Using claims data from 2020, 2023, and 2024, the project will measure changes in low-dose CT screening rates to evaluate impact. Early results demonstrate success in creating scalable, sustainable infrastructures that can serve as templates for improving LCS access in disadvantaged communities statewide and beyond. Supported by the Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation, this initiative represents a comprehensive approach to increasing equitable lung cancer screening uptake through community engagement, program expansion, navigator support, and professional education.

Asset Subtitle

Joelle Fathi

Meta Tag

Speaker Joelle Fathi

Topic Patient Advocacy

Keywords

lung cancer screening

disadvantaged counties

New York

stakeholder engagement

Lung Cancer Navigator Network

healthcare provider education

Centers of Excellence

community mobilization

primary care education

low-dose CT screening