Ford, W. Scott

Abstract Introduction: The disproportionate prostate cancer (CaP) burden, which includes high mortality rates, is significantly attributed to the characteristics of the social determinants of the health status of the Black Male population. Designing targeted interventions to address poor health outcomes through a collaborative population-based approach could reduce CaP health disparities. The Community Living Lab (CoLLab) Learning Health System was developed to address ethnically sensitive, targeted approaches that will eliminate CaP health disparities among Black Men. This study assessed demographic factors and Knowledge on prostate cancer screening attitudes and research participation among black men. Method: The collab project employed a social ecological model to design intervention to address barriers to CaP screening and participation in clinical trials. A validated, pretested questionnaire was used to collect information on demographics, CaP knowledge, attitudes, testing, and a history of participation in research and clinical trials. Baseline data were collected from 3 American Legion posts (ALPs). The association between variables was evaluated using the Chi-square test. Results: Participants between 60-69 years were 28.38%, and those aged 40-49 were 12.16%. Most are US-born Black (89.8%), with others identifying as African-born Black (6.76%) and Caribbean-born Black (1.35%). Approximately 43.24% were retired, and 36.49% were working full-time. CaP knowledge was high in 43.9%, moderate in 46.6%, and low in 9.5%. Only 45% of the participants have undergone Prostate-Specific Antigen test, and 24.6% have had a Digital Rectal Examination. Reported past clinical trials and research participation were very low (9.38%). Participants with higher knowledge levels had higher information scores (p < .0001), favored various research settings (p = 0.0008), had favorable attitudes towards CaP testing (p < .0001), and were more likely to participate in research (p = 0.0117). Work status was found to impact CaP Knowledge (p = 0.0117). Participants with stronger beliefs about prostate cancer may have different attitudes toward testing (p = 0.0444). Age did not impact attitudes toward CaP testing (p = 0.4298). Conclusion: The knowledge of CaP was found to impact the attitudes, testing, and disposition of the participants towards research. The baseline data generated from the clinical study will curate insightful evidence that will create innovative approaches to prostate cancer education among males in Black communities. Citation Format: Opeyemi O. Bolajoko, Quincy A. Wimberly, Daniel W. Lee, Collisa Mahin, Michelle Fudge, Shaina E. Flynn, Arnold J. Merriweather, Trevanne R. Matthews Hew, Monica L. Albertie, Dery Greene, Wayne Ford, Toshiko Moultrie, Floyd B. Willis, Folakemi T. Odedina. Influence of demographic factors and knowledge on prostate cancer screening attitude and research participation among Black men [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 18th AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities; 2025 Sep 18-21; Baltimore, MD. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2025;34(9 Suppl):Abstract nr C138.

Abstract Introduction: Black men experience a significant burden and face greater hurdles in the prevention, detection, treatment, and survival of prostate cancer (CaP). To address barriers and systemic issues associated with CaP, we have established Community Living Lab (CoLLab) Learning Health Systems through a partnership with the American Legion Post (ALP) and Mayo Clinic. The focus is on providing comprehensive prostate health resources, education, amenities, and community health services (REACH). This initiative represents a proactive approach to addressing health disparities in prostate cancer prevention, detection, and treatment to improve CaP health equity for Black men. This study has three primary aims: (1) Co-develop a user-centric CoLLab Learning Health System with collaborating ALPs, (2) Evaluate the impact of the CoLLab Learning Health System using a pretest-posttest design, and (3) Explore the feasibility of replicating the CoLLab Learning Health System in Black communities nationally. Methods: Three ALPs in Northeast Florida are currently included in this pilot study. The study timeline spans 30 months, from October 2023 to March 2026. The target recruitment is 150 Black men aged 30 to 80 years. Community Health Workers (CHWs) are currently recruiting participants to complete the ALP Neighborhood assessment four times over 12 months to measure changes in CaP-related knowledge, attitudes, health beliefs, perceived control, intentions, and cues to action. Participants will be able to access prostate health REACH services at the designated ALPs through education, navigation, and support services. The program will be continuously evaluated for continuous improvement. The reach of the prostate health REACH services, including extent and patterns of use, demographics of participants reached, and successful navigation for social determinants of health (SDOH), clinical trials, and healthcare, will be evaluated. Additionally, participation in the Community Research Registry, indicating interest in being matched with clinical trials at Mayo Clinic, will be assessed. Results: To date, we have trained 10 CHWs for the study who will serve as community navigators to provide REACH services at their designated ALPs. We have had 49 Black men recruited into the study, and they have completed the baseline assessment at various events held at the ALPs. CaP survivors support group, led by ALP, has begun providing survivorship support services, including healthcare navigation, wellness programs, and grocery distribution to Black men and their households in the community surrounding the ALPs. Conclusion: The CoLLab initiative represents a proactive approach to addressing health disparities and improving outcomes for Black men in CaP prevention, detection, treatment, and survivorship. This study represents a crucial step towards eliminating CaP disparities experienced by Black men, contributing to improved health equity and outcomes in this population. Citation Format: Floyd B Willis, Collisa Mahin, Opeyemi O Bolajoko, Caleb Ramirez, Shannon Pressey, Shaina Flynn, Arnold J Merriweather, Toshiko Moultrie, Vermelle Smith, Wayne Ford, Derry Green. Utilizing Community Living Labs (CoLLab) to address prostate cancer disparities in Black men: An innovative partnership with the American Legion Post and Mayo Clinic [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 17th AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2024 Sep 21-24; Los Angeles, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2024;33(9 Suppl):Abstract nr B073.