Center of Excellence on Health Disparities


		Cancer disproportionately affects African Americans with respect to nearly every major cancer type in both sexes. Tobacco use, particularly cigarette smoking, is the single most important cause of cancer.
National Surveys have been completed that illustrate that Native Americans have been found to have the highest rates of smoking, with African Americans and whites smoking at about the same rate.
In Georgia, only 17% of adult white's smoke as compared to 24.1% of adult African Americans.

The Cancer Component Core, of the Center of Excellence on Health Disparities, is doing research to identify and/or prevent cancer by determining the nature, magnitude, and distribution of cancer in underrepresented populations through looking at incidence and mortality rates. The Cancer Core is using a three-dimensional approach to promote and conduct smoking/tobacco-related research by conducting clinical trials, focusing on health services (access, quality, and cost of prevention and care for minorities), and through community-based initiatives.
Our aim is to do research that addresses the determinants of the disease (i.e. environmental factors, life-style related risk factors, and biology). We are developing technology that will enable us to accomplish this goal.


		The Cancer Core is currently engaged in many promising projects. Some of the basic science projects include: Effects of Genetic Polymorphisms in Carcinogen Metabolism, Effects of Environmental Carcinogens on Ovarian Cancer in Ethnic Disparities, New Method for Analyzing Genes induced by Host Cell-Carcinogen Interactions, Effects of Carcinogen Exposure on Immune Anti-tumor Mechanisms,
and Benzo[a]pyrene-Mediated Chemokine Expression and Immunosuppression. We are also working with physicians to improve smoking cessation practices with their African American patients. A community-based project being provided through the Cancer Core is An Exploration of Factors Associated with smoking and Smoking Initiation among African American College Students.

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