Project Summary
For years, we've heard concerns from our patients about stomach cancer (which disproportionately affects Asian Americans). They ask us whether there is increasing incidence of and fatalities from stomach cancer. They ask us if we can save the lives of those who are diagnosed with stomach cancer by detecting and treating them early. We believe that as a free and affordable health clinic that serves low-income minorities and immigrants, Cornerstone Medical Services can leverage its strengths in patient engagement and community outreach to find answers to these questions. Our goal is not only to find a scientific solution to improving early screening rates for stomach cancer, but to make this issue a priority for community and policy leaders that serve Asian American populations in the long term.
To do this, we need this Tier I grant to understand what has been done to date, what capabilities we need to develop to conduct this comparative effectiveness research scientifically, and how we can work with our partners to develop a comprehensive plan of action. We recently received our first government contract with the Washington State Health Benefit Exchange, to serve as In-Person Assisters for the Affordable Care Act. We believe the time is now to take action on the health concerns we are hearing from our underserved communities and to go beyond improving access to health insurance to improving access to health care. Thank you for giving us this unique opportunity to be part of the solution.