The overarching goal of the Community Collaborations Core (CCC) is to assure that the Howard - Hopkins Comprehensive Alliance in Cancer Research, Education, and Equity (H2CAREE) translates into retaining and enhancing community trust in cancer research and health systems providing cancer care. The CCC will support meaningful community-academic collaborations, facilitate access to summer research experiences for high school students and provide a valuable presence in the community to increase access to information, resources, and state-of- the-art cancer care. Ultimately, the CCC will contribute to the reduction, and eventual elimination, of cancer disparities. To achieve these objectives, the CCC will work with established community partners in the DC-Baltimore region to develop a multi-year research-to- action framework that guides the outreach and engagement goals of the alliance. The work will proceed on multiple levels including direct public engagement, driving new research directions, and linking H2CAREE institutions to ongoing external advocacy work to address root causes of disparities in cancer care and outcomes. Promoting an exchange of knowledge between researchers and community members will enhance research quality by incorporating community priorities and perspectives. Community perspectives will be incorporated into the review process for new H2CAREE research through community review of grant proposals. Through the Research Education Core, the CCC will open pathways between local youth serving community organizations to introduce an array to STEM-related careers. Additionally, community-guided outreach and education activities will help to position the H2CAREE institutions as trustworthy health equity partners in the DC Baltimore region. The core's approach is holistic, recognizing the multifaceted nature of health inequities and the need for comprehensive, community- oriented solutions.
