CORE VALUE PONO , DIVERSITY

PACIFIC ISLAND PARTNERSHIP FOR CANCER HEALTH EQUITY ( PIPCHE )

Equity ( PIPCHE ) is the only National Cancer Institute ( NCI ) funded , Pacific-based partnership that addresses cancer disparities in the people of Hawai ‘ i , Guam , and other U . S . -Affiliated Pacific Islands ( USAPI ). This partnership between the University of Hawai ‘ i Cancer Center and the University of Guam was first established in 2003 and has continued to explore the reasons behind significant cancer health disparities among Pacific Island populations . PIPCHE is one of only 14 NCI Partnerships to Advance Cancer Health Equity ( PACHE ), each of which supports cancer research capacity building at minority-serving institutions as well as research that addresses cancer health disparities and their impact on underserved and socio-economically disadvantaged populations . Each year , PIPCHE holds a three-day Scientific and Planning Workshop to foster team building between the two locations and to advance and support the science of team members .

The 2023 workshop celebrated the partnership ’ s 20-year history by highlighting student and trainee work , community impacts , and current research project impacts . This workshop also provided an opportunity for team members from both sites to begin the planning process for the 2024 grant renewal so that the partnership can continue to address cancer disparities in the USAPI .

PIPCHE IMPACT & ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Research Papers Published : 186

Trainees Trained : 90

Funded a New Pilot Cancer Research Project : $ 120,000

PIPCHE Principal Investigators : Brenda Hernandez , PhD , MPH , Neal Palafox , MD , MPH , and University of Guam ’ s Rachel T . Leon Guerrero , PhD , RDN

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