In response to NOT-OD-20-097, we propose to conduct supplemental research to examine the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on cancer-related health care service utilization, health beliefs, and health disparities in an ongoing study of medically and socially vulnerable women. The parent study, Tri-City Cervical Cancer Prevention Study among Women in the Justice System (# R01CA226838) is a natural history study of cervical cancer risk among women involved in the criminal justice (CJ) system in Kansas City, KS, Birmingham, AL and Oakland, CA (N=497). We will leverage this ongoing longitudinal study to address the following Aims: 1) To examine how the COVID-19 outbreak affects cancer and other health screening and care among women at elevated risk for cervical cancer; 2)To understand how the COVID-19 outbreak and related public health mandates contribute to health disparities among women at high risk for cervical cancer. The proposed research will provide critical information about how pandemics contribute to disparities in cancer and health among poor women and women of color. Knowledge gained from this supplemental research will translate to better patient, provider, and systems-level interventions that are equipped to handle pandemics and the cancer, health, and social needs of poor women.
Knowledge gained from this supplemental research will translate to better patient, provider, and systems-level interventions to address the cancer prevention and treatment needs of underserved women in the context of public health pandemics.
