Creation of Community-Based Research Capabilities in the Neighborhood Cancer Care Cooperative: Administrative Infrastructure, Program Initiatives, and Evaluation Priorities

The Radiation Oncology Community Outreach Group (ROCOG) and the Neighborhood Cancer Care Cooperative (NCCC) were developed to address oncology-related health disparities utilizing a community-based, collaborative organizational design. Funded in 2003 by the National Cancer Institute's Cancer Disparities Research Partnership program, ROCOG/NCCC has focused on reducing barriers to care and enhancing the health care system's responsiveness to minority and indigent populations within Southwestern Pennsylvania. This article will describe the component programs that have been developed under this umbrella, as well as the evolved administrative, governance, and evaluation infrastructure that supports these initiatives.