ASPO Abstracts
Voices of Community Organizations: How cancer centers can support communities in the face of COVID-19.
Category: COVID-19 and Cancer
Conference Year: 2021
Abstract Body:
Purpose: As part of an ongoing effort to support the equitable delivery of cancer care to historically
underserved communities in New York City (NYC), we examined the impact of COVID-19 on
community outreach organizations working with an NCI-comprehensive cancer center
Methods: We conducted 16 semi-structured interviews (30-90 minutes; July-September 2020) with
stakeholders (SH) including patient navigators, patient advocates, faith-based leaders, community
health, and non-profit organizations in NYC – the epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic in the US. Using
thematic analysis, we characterized experiences and challenges in supporting cancer care delivery
during COVID-19.
Results: Per SH, COVID-19 required organizations to shift priorities to address day-to-day needs
exacerbated by COVID-19 (food insecurity, financial/housing instability, misinformation, emotional
distress). Organizations adapted by leveraging existing partnerships, including the cancer center, and
partnering with new local/state organizations to broaden their work scope (e.g., COVID-19 testing
centers, food pantries, technology training), and disseminate reliable COVID-19 information to
communities. All organizations transitioned to virtual platforms creating challenges for those with limited
technical resources and often excluded older or isolated populations; thus, many organizations retained
a socially distanced in-person component to remain visible and trustworthy within the community.
Importantly, SH emphasized the importance of cancer center support via proactive involvement and
communication with community members, providing a supportive infrastructure (funding, technical
support, personnel), and incorporating community voices into new programs and projects during and
beyond the COVID-19 pandemic.
Conclusion: In addition to or in lieu of cancer care delivery efforts, community organizations are
compelled to develop innovative approaches that address the more immediate needs of the community
resulting from COVID-19. Cancer centers can support their community partners by being responsive
and flexible to the community needs, building trust within the community, and strengthening community
organizational capacity to reduce the long-term damage of COVID-19 and achieve equity.
Keywords: Community Engagement, COVID-19, Care Delivery