George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences Washington, DC
Katherine Rangoussis, BS, MS1, Ivan Berezowski, MD1, Maanvi Vij, BS1, Samuel A. Schueler, MD2, Susie J. Park, MD1, Valerie S. Stark, MD, MPH3, Mrudula Bandaru, MD3, Maxwell S. Madani, BA1, Omar K. Abu-Ghannam, BS1, Lucas Miecho. Heilbroner, BA1, Athanasios S. Naum, BS1, Kris Kokoneshi, BA4, Abdelrhman Refaey, MD2, Ahmed Ebeid, MD5, Laxmikausthubha Yaratha, MD1, Zeina Bani Hani, MBBS3, Pavan Vemulakonda, MD1, Liza Khutsishvili, BS6, Simran Gupta, MD2, Romy Chamoun, MD1, Marie L. Borum, MD, EdD, MPH, FACG2 1George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC; 2Division of Gastroenterology and Liver Disease, Department of Medicine, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC; 3Department of Medicine, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC; 4George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington DC, DC; 5Transplant Institute, Department of Surgery, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Science, Washington, DC; 6George Washington School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Arlington, VA Introduction: Immigrants to the United States (US) undergo colorectal cancer (CRC) screening at significantly lower rates than those born in the US. Screening rates are as low as 35% for those in the US < 15 years. It is critical to engage immigrant communities through avenues where they are already involved. This study collaborated with a community center for immigrant youth to provide CRC screening information and identify screening barriers in adults. Methods: Physicians and medical students collaborated with an urban community center for immigrant youth to increase CRC screening awareness and identify screening barriers. A health fair was planned that engaged youth with music, raffles and lunch. To encourage adult participation, community partners provided information about health care resources, financial services, nutrition, sexual health and evaluated blood pressure. All adult health fair participants were asked to complete an anonymous survey that obtained demographics, reasons for health fair participation and CRC screening barriers. Analyses were performed using ANOVA, Chi-Square and Fisher Exact Test with significance set at p< 0.05. Results: All 54 adult health fair participants received CRC screening information. 54 (96.4%; 27 male, 26 female, 1 did not identify gender; mean age 43.7) completed the survey. 25 (46.3%) identified as Black, 20 (37%) Hispanic, 6 (11.1%) white, 1 Asian (1.9%) and 2 (3.7%) did not report race / ethnicity. 33 (61%) reported English and 16 (30%) Spanish as their primary language. 25 (46.3%) attended the health fair to learn about community resources. Adults more frequently came to learn about community resources compared to CRC screening (p=0.0001), general health information (p=0.0001) or blood pressure checks (p=0.0001). Health care access was a more frequent barrier than lack of CRC screening knowledge (p=0.0344) and fear (p=0.0171). Women more often reported >2 screening barriers (p=0.0443). There was no difference in reported barriers based upon race / ethnicity (p=1.000) or primary language (p=1.000). Discussion: Engaging youth at a community center to encourage adult health fair participation is a unique approach for CRC screening outreach. A variety of health fair offerings encourage participation and allows an opportunity to provide CRC information. Health care access was the most common reported barrier. Novel approaches to encourage immigrant communities to identify CRC screening barriers can allow for targeted interventions that will optimize care.
Disclosures: Katherine Rangoussis indicated no relevant financial relationships. Ivan Berezowski indicated no relevant financial relationships. Maanvi Vij indicated no relevant financial relationships. Samuel Schueler indicated no relevant financial relationships. Susie Park indicated no relevant financial relationships. Valerie Stark indicated no relevant financial relationships. Mrudula Bandaru indicated no relevant financial relationships. Maxwell Madani indicated no relevant financial relationships. Omar Abu-Ghannam indicated no relevant financial relationships. Lucas Heilbroner indicated no relevant financial relationships. Athanasios Naum indicated no relevant financial relationships. Kris Kokoneshi indicated no relevant financial relationships. Abdelrhman Refaey indicated no relevant financial relationships. Ahmed Ebeid indicated no relevant financial relationships. Laxmikausthubha Yaratha indicated no relevant financial relationships. Zeina Bani Hani indicated no relevant financial relationships. Pavan Vemulakonda indicated no relevant financial relationships. Liza Khutsishvili indicated no relevant financial relationships. Simran Gupta indicated no relevant financial relationships. Romy Chamoun indicated no relevant financial relationships. Marie Borum indicated no relevant financial relationships.
Katherine Rangoussis, BS, MS1, Ivan Berezowski, MD1, Maanvi Vij, BS1, Samuel A. Schueler, MD2, Susie J. Park, MD1, Valerie S. Stark, MD, MPH3, Mrudula Bandaru, MD3, Maxwell S. Madani, BA1, Omar K. Abu-Ghannam, BS1, Lucas Miecho. Heilbroner, BA1, Athanasios S. Naum, BS1, Kris Kokoneshi, BA4, Abdelrhman Refaey, MD2, Ahmed Ebeid, MD5, Laxmikausthubha Yaratha, MD1, Zeina Bani Hani, MBBS3, Pavan Vemulakonda, MD1, Liza Khutsishvili, BS6, Simran Gupta, MD2, Romy Chamoun, MD1, Marie L. Borum, MD, EdD, MPH, FACG2. P2644 - Engaging Youth at an Immigrant Community Center Is a Novel Approach to Increase Colon Cancer Screening Awareness, ACG 2025 Annual Scientific Meeting Abstracts. Phoenix, AZ: American College of Gastroenterology.
