Cancer Implementation Science
A research program focused on applying implementation science to cancer prevention and control. Our goal is to support communities in Massachusetts in developing sustainable strategies and partnerships to make evidence-based cancer control more accessible.
Advancing Cancer Control Engaged Research Through Transformative Solutions
Mass-ACCERT Overview:
The Massachusetts Center for Advancing Cancer Control Engaged Research Through Transformative Solutions (Mass-ACCERT) is a partnership between the Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers and the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. The goal of the center is to advance cancer control for all by supporting community health centers’ capacity to deliver evidence-based cancer screening, tobacco cessation and treatment while promoting social, civic and digital connection among patients and their communities.
Research Projects
The Gateway to Health Study (our multi-level project of Mass-ACCERT) helps community health centers improve breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer screening and tobacco treatment while also encouraging patients to stay connected to their communities.
Click to read more about the study
Program leads: Bekka Lee and Cristina Huebner Torres
Mass-ACCERT community responsive pilots are projects that are identified by the community and are aligned with the Gateway to Health Study. Ideas for pilots are generated through structured community engagement approaches and are supported by our Implementation Learning Community and Capacity Building activities.
Program leads: Susan Dargon-Hart and Elsie Taveras
Click to read more about the first pilot project: Community Advisory Boards for Sustained CHC-Community Connections
The Mass-ACCERT Data Ecosystem is a centralized space for data acquisition, processing, and management. The Data Ecosystem builds on the foundation developed by ISCCCE, supporting collection and analysis of data for the Community Gateway to Health study and the Community Responsive Projects.
Program Lead: Cheryl Clark
Capacity Building
Connecting Cancer Research on Social Determinants to Civic Engagement
Our year-long, cohort-based training program is designed for researchers who study cancer in Massachusetts and work to address at least one social determinant of health. The training included a one-day deep dive on community engagement and activation and quarterly meetings to facilitate reflection and peer learning. The program also includes technical assistance and funds to encourage participants to develop community partnerships and engagement activities related to cancer and social determinants of health.
Program leads: Shoba Ramanadhan and Davine Holness
