Kelly Brittain's research focuses on eliminating health disparities through risk reduction and prevention, specifically for colorectal cancer screening among women. Her previous research found that cultural factors, family support, cancer beliefs, and informed decisions about screening varied between African American men and women. New, innovative strategies are needed to increase low screening rates among women and reduce cancer rates. Brittain is interested in exploring how social support, tailored messaging, communication, and mobile/social media technologies can improve informed decisions and screening behaviors.

1. Eliminating Health Disparities through Risk Reduction and Prevention
Kelly Brittain, PhD, RN
College of Nursing
Background Previous Study Results
My previous research indicates:
Colorectal cancer is a major health threat for women. Colorectal
• Many cultural variables, family support, colorectal cancer beliefs and informed
cancer was once considered a “man’s disease” because the number of decision about colorectal cancer screening were related among African American
men diagnosed with colorectal cancer exceeded women 2 to 1. Since men and women.
2000, the number of women diagnosed with colorectal cancer has risen to Self-system Decision-Making Process Outcomes
equal that of men.1 Colorectal cancer mortality rates for women have not • Family support and colorectal cancer beliefs are important factors in predicting
changed in 5 years and mortality rates among African American and an informed decision about colorectal cancer screening among African American
Background Factors: Determinants of decisions:
men and women.
Caucasian women are the highest among all women. 1 A weapon in the Age, education, income, marital
status, gender Informed Decision about
fight against colorectal cancer is routine screening.1 If routine screening Cultural identity CRC Screening • Through path analysis, the model of informed decision for African American
occurs, colorectal cancer can be detected in its early stages by Fecal
Family history of cancer & CRC
Personal history of cancer/CRC
•
•
Knowledge of risks men and women are different. The data fit the female model and not the male
Value of screening
Occult Blood Test (FOBT) and is nearly preventable through the removal cancer • Screening preference CRC Screening Intention
model.
Provider recommendation for • Decisional consistency
of polyps during colonoscopy.1 Unfortunately, women aged 50-64 are less CRC screening, screening • Family support and family influence were related to having a colonoscopy.
history Shared Decision/Patient-Provider
likely to have been screened for CRC within the recommended screening History of other chronic illnesses communication
• There was no relationship between an informed decision and having a
guidelines than women 65 and older.2,4 CRC screening rates for women Health literacy
Social networking site use colonoscopy. However, there was a relationship between FOBT and an informed
are at 50% despite over 70% of all women having insurance coverage for Mobile application use CRC Screening Behavior
decision.
CRC screening.2 Previous interventions to address colorectal cancer
screening such as postcards, public service announcements, and • There was no relationship between having a primary care provider and an
insurance coverage have not significantly improved colorectal cancer informed decision about colorectal cancer screening.
screening among women.2, 4 New, innovative strategies are urgently CRC Health Beliefs: Decision support intervention: • Having diabetes was negatively related to having a colonoscopy.
• Perceived FOBT Benefits
needed to effectively increase CRC screening and reduce the colorectal • Perceived FOBT Barriers • Social networking site
• Mobile application
cancer incidence and mortality rates among women. • Perceived Colonoscopy
Benefits • Communication prompts
Future Research
• Perceived Colonoscopy • Enhanced assessment
Barriers
• Perceived Risk
• Fatalism
• Self-efficacy
• Expand research to Caucasian women and other groups
• Explore African American decision model
Areas of Interest
Evaluation of decision:
Perceived Social Support for
• Quality of decision process
• Decision
• Explore other health behaviors
CRC Screening
• Outcome of decision
• Develop and test interventions at the patient/community and
• Informed decision provider level
• Social support
• Tailoring/targeting messages Collaboration
• Improving patient-provider communication
• Increasing cancer risk reduction/prevention behaviors • Gender and other groups
• Messaging
• mHealth
• Methods (eye tracking, etc.)
• Social media
• Social Media testing
• Mobile apps
• Device development
• Mobile devices • Device testing