Increasing routine cancer screening among underserved populations through effective communication strategies: Application of a health literacy framework

Abstract

Cancer prevention and control efforts serve as national priorities, as cancer is the second leading cause of death in the USA. In addition, cancer disparities exist, with racial/ethnic minority, low-income, and uninsured populations suffering the greatest burden. The goal of this paper is to describe the role that effective health communication can play in increasing routine cancer screening among medically underserved populations, thus decreasing persistent health disparities. For this paper, we applied Sorenson’s integrated model of health literacy as a framework for identifying communication gaps and opportunities that can help improve cancer screening specifically at federally qualified health centers (FQHCs). This integrated model consists of four interrelated dimensions: access, understand, appraise, and apply. Employing communication strategies across this health literacy framework has the potential to facilitate improved decision making and cancer screening outcomes among the most underserved populations.