A woman sits at a wooden desk in a bright, modern room, wearing headphones and engaged in an online video call. She is looking at her laptop screen, which shows another person on the call. Her smartphone is mounted on a tripod, positioned to record or broadcast her side of the conversation. She holds an open notebook and gestures with her hand as she speaks. Behind her, a large plant and bookshelves with various items add a cozy touch to the workspace. Natural light fills the room through a large window.

EMBRACE Project: Enhancing Cancer Screening Through Community Collaboration

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The EMBRACE project, launched by iMPROve Health and funded by the Michigan Department of Health & Human Services (MDHHS), aimed to enhance the early detection of breast and cervical cancers, particularly in populations facing health disparities. From October 2023 to September 2024, the project brought together healthcare providers across Michigan to improve cancer screening and treatment pathways.

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EMBRACE engaged 31 healthcare providers through 18 interactive sessions, covering critical topics such as equity in healthcare, cultural competency, and maximizing technology to improve cancer screenings. The sessions also emphasized the unique barriers many communities face, such as distrust of the healthcare system and lack of access to resources. Expert speakers provided education on evidence-based strategies and offered tailored tools to participants.

The project significantly boosted participants’ ability to address the specific challenges of underserved populations. With the help of subject matter experts, participants enhanced their understanding of health equity and developed new strategies for improving cancer screenings.

One participant shared, “I’ve been using data more to make decisions about where to direct our resources,” highlighting the real-world impact of the sessions. Another said, “We’ve already set up two meetings and made great progress with our radiology department and leaders.”

Participants walked away with a comprehensive set of resources, including session-specific PowerPoint decks, case studies, and actionable recommendations. Surveys revealed a 100% improvement in knowledge and confidence regarding tools to improve cancer screening rates and reduce disparities. Every participant felt more capable of collecting data and implementing informed interventions.

The EMBRACE project educated providers and provided them with the resources necessary to make tangible improvements in cancer care across Michigan, ensuring that no community is left behind.

Learn more about iMPROve Heath’s cancer control and prevention efforts.