Recordings of Meeting Sessions
Videos of presentations from the Cancer Epidemiology in Hispanic Populations Workshop are now available on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLaXJeOudgf621HbMTgA22ymZFuLssk5LH
Overview
The Cancer Epidemiology in Hispanic Populations Workshop was held online on September 14-16, 2021.
Background
The Hispanic/Latino population, one of the fastest growing minority populations in the U.S., is estimated to reach 119 million by 2060. This diverse population (by country of origin, ancestry, race, and beyond) and the anticipated demographic shift will have significant implications for cancer control and care. In the U.S., the Hispanic population has higher incidence and mortality rates for cancers of the liver, stomach, cervix, and gallbladder compared to other race/ethnic groups. The higher incidence and mortality rates of these cancers parallel observations for cancer burden in several Latin American countries, but we do not fully understand the etiology that contributes to these disparate cancer rates.
Differing rates of cancer incidence among Hispanic subgroups may be masked in statistical reports, because epidemiologic data of Hispanic populations in the U.S. are often aggregated and reported as a monolithic group. This practice presents methodological challenges for epidemiologic studies, as it limits quantifiable information on sub-populations and obscures trends that may help explain cancer etiology. The Hispanic population represents many diverse subgroups with different cultures, varying characteristics (e.g., immigration pattern, geographic concentration, and socioeconomic factors) and exposures. Thus, it is important to consider these sub-populations in cancer epidemiological research to appropriately study the determinants of disease and understand how to best intervene to prevent and control cancer.
This NCI-sponsored workshop considered the challenges, identified opportunities, and developed ideas for increasing Hispanic representation in cancer epidemiological studies. Three overarching objectives governed the meeting:
- To identify scientific gaps and opportunities for cancer epidemiologic research in Hispanic populations.
- To encourage the use of existing resources and identify gaps in resources to enable cancer epidemiological research in Hispanic populations.
- To facilitate and coordinate cross-discipline collaboration to inform research in Hispanic populations.
Planning Committee
National Cancer Institute
- Joanne Elena, Ph.D., M.P.H., Co-Chair, Clinical and Translational Epidemiology Branch, EGRP, DCCPS
- Tram Kim Lam, Ph.D., M.P.H., Co-Chair, Environmental Epidemiology Branch, EGRP, DCCPS
- Shobha Srinivasan, Ph.D., Co-Chair, Office of the Director, DCCPS
- Kaitlin Akif, M.P.H., Office of the Director, DCCPS
- Lisa Gallicchio, Ph.D., Clinical and Translational Epidemiology Branch, EGRP, DCCPS
- Rachel Hanisch, Ph.D., M.P.H., Genomic Epidemiology Branch, EGRP, DCCPS
- Amy Kennedy, Ph.D., M.P.H., Office of the Director, DCCPS
- Gabriel Lai, Ph.D., Environmental Epidemiology Branch, EGRP, DCCPS
- Somdat Mahabir, Ph.D., M.P.H., Environmental Epidemiology Branch, EGRP, DCCPS
- Camille Pottinger, M.P.H., Office of the Associate Director, EGRP, DCCPS
- Catherine Yu, Genomic Epidemiology Branch, EGRP, DCCPS
External Advisory Board
- Laura Fejerman, Ph.D., University of California, Davis
- Scarlett Gomez, Ph.D., M.P.H, University of California, San Francisco
- Damali Martin, Ph.D., M.P.H., Population Studies and Genetics Branch, Division of Neuroscience, National Institute on Aging
- Anna Napoles, Ph.D., M.P.H., National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities
- Amelie Ramirez, Dr.P.H., M.P.H., University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio
- Mariana Stern, Ph.D., Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California
Contact for Questions
Questions about the workshop may be submitted via e-mail to the Planning Committee at NCICEHP@mail.nih.gov.