A candidate for the Associate Professor of Health - Health Disparities/Health Equity position in the College of Health is an Assistant Professor of Public Health in a Public Health Program and College of Health. The speaker has worked on cooperative agreements on newcomer health funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The candidate has worked on public health surveillance and quality improvement projects focused on the health of newcomers to the United States including the prevalence of vaccinations, infectious disease, chronic conditions, and cancer screening. The candidate has published work in peer-review journals such as the American Journal of Public Health and the Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health. The speaker has held leadership positions in professional organizations including the American Public Health Association and the Society of Refugee Healthcare Providers. The candidate has a PhD in Population Health Science and Master of Public Health. The candidate has public health certifications including Certified in Public Health (CPH) and Master Certified Health Education Specialist (MCHES). 
 

Job: Cervical, breast, and colorectal cancer screening outcomes among newcomers in the United States

Abstract: Cancer screening can detect cancer at an early stage and decrease cancer morbidity and mortality. Cancer screening is important for refugee populations who may have had limited access to cancer screening before arrival in the United States. Larger data samples that include country of origin and language preference are needed to better quantify disparities and identify priority populations for resources. This talk will describe projects to calculate the proportion of newcomers ever screened and up to date for cervical, breast, and colorectal cancer screening based on United States Preventive Services Task Force guidelines. Longitudinal outcomes beyond the domestic medical exam are valuable to provide insight into cervical, breast, and colorectal cancer screening among refugees in the United States. Healthcare systems should prioritize standardization and accuracy of granular demographics like country of origin and language preference to improve cancer screening and achieve health equity. The talk will conclude with an outline of future collaborations and research plans.