Abstract A033: The Prostate Health Equity Project: A community-academic model for addressing prostate cancer disparities among Black men in Milwaukee

Abstract

Abstract Wisconsin ranks among the highest states in the nation for cancer incidence and mortality among Black/African American (Black) individuals. Prostate cancer (PC) is the most frequently diagnosed cancer among men in Wisconsin and the second leading cause of cancer death, with higher rates observed for Black men. In Milwaukee, longstanding challenges including racial segregation, poverty, limited access to healthcare resources, and medical mistrust contribute to these disparities. Addressing a problem as complex as PC disparities requires coordinated action across community and healthcare settings. To address this need, the Community and Cancer Science Network (CCSN) at the Medical College of Wisconsin conducted preliminary work through a Community-Academic Workgroup of community members, survivors, healthcare providers, researchers, and organizational leaders to engage in a transdisciplinary design process over 18 months. The team reviewed available literature and local data, developed a root cause analysis of prostate cancer disparities, and collected quantitative and qualitative data from community members (n=77) and healthcare providers (n=13). Findings highlighted limited prostate cancer knowledge, confusion regarding screening guidelines, concerns regarding access to screening and care, low utilization of shared decision making, and a need for stronger patient-provider communication. These findings informed a social and research action agenda. The resulting Prostate Health Equity Project (PHEP) similarly engages community members, physicians, community advocates, and research to use transdisciplinary collaboration to develop and lead a two-part approach designed to address barriers at multiple levels of influence. The community-facing component seeks to improve PC knowledge, awareness of screening guidelines, informed decision making, and access to screening resources among Black community members through culturally relevant education, outreach, and navigation efforts. The provider-facing component focuses on increasing healthcare provider knowledge of PC risk and screening guidelines, improving use of shared decision making, and strengthening patient-provider communication through provider education and implementation of shared decision-making tools and processes in primary care settings. Together, these complementary initiatives address both community and healthcare system factors contributing to PC disparities. This multilayered project demonstrates how transdisciplinary community-academic partnerships can move beyond identifying disparities to implementing multilevel solutions informed by local data and stakeholder priorities. This two-part approach represents a promising strategy for improving PC knowledge, screening decision making, and healthcare engagement among Black men while providing a framework for advancing cancer health equity in other settings. AI Disclosure: AI was used for the grammar and readability of this submitted abstract. Citation Format: Jayme Ewens, Tobi Cawthra, Torojah Williams, Kevin Izard, Adam Murphy, Marquayla Ellison, Mochamad Nataliansyah, Erika Sinclair, Joan Neuner, Melinda Stolley. The Prostate Health Equity Project: A community-academic model for addressing prostate cancer disparities among Black men in Milwaukee [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 19th AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities; 2026 Oct 18-21; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2026;35(10 Suppl):Abstract nr A033.