Demonstrating the Capacity of the Kentucky Cancer Consortium to Implement Policy

The University of Kentucky has been designated by the Kentucky Department for Public Health as the bona-fide agent for Comprehensive Cancer Control (CCC) in Kentucky. CCC is Kentucky, known as the Kentucky Cancer Consortium (KCC), is well positioned to implement policy and environmental change initiatives for this funding opportunity, as it builds upon existing partnerships being devoted to policy efforts that impact chronic disease broadly and cancer control specifically. KCC began focusing on policy change implementation in 2006 with the creation of a Public Policy Committee (PPC) and developed the first policy agenda for the KCC in 2008. All KCC PPC members have participated in the identification of policy intervention priorities for this grant application. Collaboration amongst the organizations mentioned above has been unprecedented, as organizations share work plans and collaboratively identify areas for potential partnerships on initiatives. Lung, colorectal, and breast cancers were the most commonly occurring cancers and the leading causes of cancer deaths in Kentucky from 2002-2006. Smoking is the leading risk factor for developing lung cancer and Kentucky has significantly higher rates of 'current adult smokers' than the U.S. at 25.6% versus 17.9% (BRFSS, 2009). Kentucky adults are also among the most sedentary, ranking 2nd in rates of physical inactivity and 7th for overweight and obesity. Reducing obesity prevents colorectal and breast cancers, and evidence shows that screening tests for colorectal cancer reduce both the incidence and mortality from the disease. Based on a review of the highest burden cancers, existing local and state-level policies and collaboration with members of the KCC PPC (which include those programs funded under ARRA "Communities Putting Prevention to Work" grants), a five-year policy agenda was developed. The policy agenda reflects three primary prevention interventions and one secondary prevention intervention that will be implemented over a five-year period. The interventions include: 1) Kentucky will enact a comprehensive state-wide smoke-free law according to the Fundamentals of Smoke-free workplaces; 2) There will be daily physical activity requirements for children in after school and child care settings: 3) Increase the utilization of joint use agreements with Kentucky schools to provide communities with more opportunities to increase physical activity; and 4) Increase access to colorectal cancer screening through reducing financial barriers for patients in Kentucky.