Friday, May 9, 2025
5/9/2025
Accelerating Cancer Screening - Project Title: Accelerating Cancer Screening, Closing the Cancer Screening Gap Applicant Organization Name: University of California, Irvine Address: 101 Innovation Drive, Irvine, CA 92617 Project Director: Dr. Jose Mayorga Phone: (714) 480-2443 Fax: (714) 560-0640 Email: jmayorga@hs.uci.edu Website: ucirvinehealth.org Funds requested: $500,000 HCP Number: H80CS00461 Description of the Project and Proposed Services The University of California, Irvine Federally Qualified Health Center (UCI FQHC) is the oldest FQHC in Orange County and is part of the University of California, Irvine system, which includes a campus dedicated to higher education and a state-of-the-art medical center. UCI FQHC is uniquely positioned to deliver affordable, comprehensive, healthcare for populations that experience health disparities, through our partnerships and innovative practices that are based on medical and scientific knowledge. The proposed project will increase access to breast and colorectal cancer screening by creating a care continuum that provides clinical and ancillary services, including services that address barriers to cancer screening and treatment. UCI FQHC will leverage our existing partnership with the UCI Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center (CFCCC), a National Cancer Institute-designated Cancer Center, to focus on in-reach to FQHC patients to increase education about breast and colorectal screening. Due to of CFCCC’s capabilities in staff training, educational material development, patient navigation for screening referrals and follow-up, CFCCC data has shown a 5-10% increase in screenings each year. UCI FQHC will be supported by the American Cancer Society, which has committed to provide technical assistance on quality improvement efforts related to cancer screening; patient and provider education materials; recommendations on evidence-based strategies to increase cancer screening; and strategizing on timely referral to treatment if a cancer diagnosis is identified. Additionally, our partner, CalOptima—the largest health insurer in Orange County—will provide support to increase the number and percentage of CalOptima members screened for breast or colorectal cancer; increase the number of CalOptima members who have an abnormal screening to obtain timely follow-up care; and assist with tracking metrics. UCI FQHC also received a Memorandum of Understanding from the Community Health Initiative of Orange County, which will support with enrollment, retention, and care coordination for health insurance and supplemental nutrition assistance. Needs to be Addressed and Population to be Served UCI FQHC’s service area is comprised by 32 zip codes and is home to more than 1.5 million residents. One-third (32.5%) of service area residents have incomes below the 200% Federal Poverty Guidelines (FPG); 32.9% of residents rely on Medicaid, other public insurances, or are uninsured; 80.0% identify as a non-Caucasian; and 30.5% of residents have less than a high school education. Demographic characteristics and determinantal social determinants of health contribute to the high need for cancer screening and treatment. In Orange County, the screening rate for breast cancer among low-income individuals is 64.1% compared to 76.4% in California. Among UCI FQHC patients, 54.9% have received this screening. Similarly, the screening rate for colorectal cancer among low-income individuals is 57.7% compared to 69.7% in California. Among UCI FQHC patients, 50.54 have received this screening. Screening rates for UCI FQHC patients increased by 7.3% and 5.1% for breast cancer and colorectal cancer last year, respectively, thus, UCI FQHC has high confidence in continuing improvement with proposed funding.
HHS’ Tracking Accountability in Government Grants System (TAGGS) website provides access to detailed descriptions of grants, loans, aggregated direct payments and other types of financial assistance awarded by the HHS Operating Divisions (OPDIVs) and the Office of the Secretary Staff Divisions (STAFFDIVs).