Health disparities also persist with regard to cancer. Overall, black Americans are more likely to develop and die from cancer than persons of any other racial and ethnic group. Cancer incidence and death rates for men are highest among blacks, followed by whites, Hispanics, and Asian/Pacific Islanders. Prostate cancer incidence rates are about 3.5 times higher among black men than among Asian/Pacific Islander men, and prostate cancer death rates are almost 6 times higher among black men than among Asian/Pacific Islander men. Among men, lung cancer incidence rates are about 2.8 times higher among blacks than among Asian/Pacific Islanders. Lung cancer death rates are about 2.7 times higher among black men than among Hispanic men. Cancer death rates for women are highest among blacks, followed by whites, Hispanics, and Asian/Pacific Islanders. Breast cancer death rates are about 2.7 times higher among black women than among Asian/Pacific Islander women.

Source: U.S. Cancer Statistics Working Group. United States Cancer Statistics: 2001 Incidence and Mortality. Atlanta (GA): Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and National Cancer Institute; 2004.

 

Cluster Objectives

• To promote intellectual exchange, generate innovative inter- and multi-disciplinary research

• To facilitate the movement of scientific advances across the translational research spectrum.

• To Develop in collaboration with the DTCC additional multi-site research projects across disciplines that will capitalize on emerging technologic advances and unique resources.
   

Cluster subgroups

Scientific Leadership

• Jay Vadgama- Charles Drew University

• Michele Carbone – University of Hawaii

• Shafiq Khan – Clark Atlanta University

• Earnest Izevbigie- Jackson State University

RCMI Cluster Scientists