PROJECT SUMMARY
The objective of this supplemental application is to promote diversity research and provide a mentored
experience in cancer health disparities and cancer control for Dr. Dede Teteh. The purpose of the parent R01
(CA217841-01A1, PI: Sun, Kim) is to test the efficacy of a multimedia self-management intervention on
outcomes for lung cancer surgery family caregivers (FCGs) and patients. Research conducted in the R01 is
critical because lung cancer patients are discharged from the hospital earlier after surgery despite an aging
population that suffers from greater co-morbidities and decreased quality of life (QOL). As a result, the bulk of
the caregiving burden after surgery has fallen on FCGs. In addition, social determinants of health (SDH),
including social, environmental, behavioral, and spirituality factors, may impact QOL outcomes and caregiving
burden for lung cancer surgery FCGs and patients. However, SDH is an understudied topic in lung cancer
surgery. Understanding the interaction between SDH domains and QOL outcomes will fill a critical knowledge
gap on potential health disparities in lung cancer surgery outcomes and survivorship. Therefore, the purpose of
this supplemental application is to determine the impact of SDH domains on outcomes in lung cancer surgery
FCGs and patients using a prospective, longitudinal, mixed methods design. Aim 1 will describe the
relationship between self-reported SDH domains (economic stability, education, neighborhood and built
environment, health/healthcare, social and community context-spirituality) and FCG/patient outcomes before
and after surgery. In Aim 2, SDH domains that are potential barriers to FCG/patient outcomes will be explored
using focus groups. To achieve her training goals, Dr. Teteh will be mentored by an outstanding team of
investigators with complementary expertise in the areas of FCG/QOL research, quantitative/qualitative
methodology, lung cancer surgery, SDH, health disparities, and community-based research. The
mentoring/career development plan will focus on research design, methodology, study implementation, and
data analysis. The proposed research aligns with the parent R01 study and will promote the growth of minority
researchers in health sciences. Results from the study will serve as preliminary data for a NIH/NCI K01 award.
Dr. Teteh’s long-term goal is to become an independent researcher in health disparities and cancer control,
with the aim to design and test interventions that address SDH in lung cancer.