ADVANCE Cancer Health Disparities Research (CHDR) Training Program - ABSTRACT
The ADVANCE Cancer Health Disparities Research (CHDR) Training Program at the University of Southern
California (USC) is based on a strong foundation of biomedical research, population science training, and
professional education at USC and the Department of Population and Public Health Sciences (DPPHS). The
ADVANCE CHDR will use a comprehensive approach to enhance the knowledge, skill, and capacity of
predoctoral students in minority health, cancer health disparities research, and community engagement. We will
do this through two key and highly integrated pillars: (1) academic training in population sciences and the
science of cancer health disparities, and (2) professional training in cancer health disparities research. The
proposed activities within the academic training pillar are designed to increase knowledge and understanding
about key concepts in minority health and cancer health disparities research through various academic offerings
that include a new Health Equity Certificate training, elective courses offered at DPPHS that will complete
the core training in epidemiology, biostatistics, or health behavior research of our trainees, scientific seminar
offerings to enrich the learning of our trainees, with unique focus on cancer health disparities, and hands-on
training in applying this knowledge through mentored cancer health disparities research, which will culminate in
the PhD dissertation. This academic learning activities will be complemented with activities that will sustain the
professional education pillar and will include training navigation to provide precision mentoring and
professional and career development through workshops and participation in scientific activities. To enhance
the professional education pillar, the ADVANCE CHDR will provide community engagement training through
participation in community outreach and engagement events, community education opportunities, and
partnership with a community mentor to work on community-based projects. These two training pillars will work
synergistically to promote diversity in minority health and health disparities research and provide training in three
key areas: health disparities/health equity research, multi-level preventive interventions, and methodology to
prepare the next generation for careers in cancer health disparities.
