On October 22, 2024, the University of Oklahoma (OU) announced it has secured a $17.2 million grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) aimed at improving cancer outcomes among tribal nations. The initiative, named the "Improving Cancer Outcomes in Native American Communities" (ICON) grant, is set to span five years and will focus on prevention, screening, and care coordination.
Dr. Dorothy Rhoades, a member of the Kiowa Tribe and director of the Native American Center for Cancer Health Equity at OU, emphasized the significance of this collaboration with tribal communities. The grant was facilitated by Oklahoma Congressman Tom Cole and is one of two awarded to National Cancer Institute-designated centers.
American Indian and Alaska Native populations in Oklahoma face a 36% higher incidence of cancer and a 73% higher mortality rate compared to the general U.S. population. The disparities are attributed to factors such as underfunding in health care systems and racial misclassifications affecting data collection.
The first sub-project under the ICON grant will target lung cancer screening in the Cherokee Nation, where the rate of new lung cancer cases is notably higher than the national average. The project aims to utilize low-dose CT scans for screenings, particularly among high-risk individuals.
Additionally, the grant will work to improve communication between the cancer center and tribal health providers, addressing logistical challenges that may hinder patient access to care. This collaborative model seeks to enhance care coordination, particularly in cancer treatment.
Research efforts will also investigate the cultural aspects of health care delivery, including traditional healing practices. Furthermore, the grant will assess arsenic and uranium exposure levels in drinking water among Native communities and develop interventions to address potential health risks.
Both Dr. Rhoades and Dr. Mark Doescher, associate director for community outreach at the Stephenson Cancer Center, expressed optimism regarding the potential impact of the grant on cancer care in Oklahoma and possibly on a national scale.