Engaging Area Health Education Centers as Community Research Partners

1
Engaging Area Health Education Centers as
Community Research Partners
Cheri Tolle1, Mark Dignan1, Kayla Rose2, Dwain
Harris3, and Michael Gayheart4
In 2005, the University of Kentucky Prevention
Research Center (UK PRC) received a 5-year grant
to increase colorectal cancer screening among
rural primary care practices. Colorectal cancer
is the second leading cause of death in Kentucky,
and screening rates lag behind national rates. To
conduct research at the community level, the UK
PRC developed a partnership with three Area
Health Education Centers (AHECS) that have
well-established outreach and educational
programs for rural health care professionals.
This partnership has provided a unique
opportunity for the UK PRC and AHECs to become
research partners in a community-based behavioral
research project.
Colorectal Cancer in Kentucky and Appalachian
Kentucky
Academic Detailers

• AHEC employees
• Part-time professionals living within research
  study area
• Work with researchers on designing and
  delivering the intervention
• Recruit rural community physicians to the study

Sharpsburg Clinic, Bath County KY
Northeast AHEC Region
University of Kentucky Prevention Research Center
Area Health Education Centers
Research Design
UK PRC Engage communities in Appalachian Kentucky
and beyond to promote health and reduce the
cancer burden through education, training, and
research
Prevention Research Center

• AHEC
• Improve the quality, distribution and retention
  of healthcare professionals through
• Clinical rotations for healthcare students
• Library services for community students and
  healthcare
• professionals
• Continuing education programs for health
  professionals
• Health career guidance to encourage local young
  people to
• become health professionals
• Community health education programs for children
  and adults

1. University of Kentucky Prevention Research
Center, Lexington KY USA 2. Northeast Kentucky
AHEC, Morehead KY, USA 3. Southern Kentucky
AHEC, Mt. Vernon KY, USA 4. Southeast Kentucky
AHEC, Hazard KY, USA Funding provided by the
National Cancer Institute and the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention
Homeplace Clinic, Perry County KY
Southeast AHEC Region