How could the study of a social marker help direct resources — for example smoking prevention campaigns?
With respect to prevention, first we should determine what geographic regions need concentrated educational programs and intensely campaign in those areas. Once an area is identified, we need to determine what is driving disparities. When an area is targeted for intervention, you’re targeting the culture and the people in that region. Programs aimed at helping children adopt healthy lifestyles, eating a balanced diet to prevent obesity, and smoking prevention and cessation programs could be developed to match the culture of those living in that region. Are underserved populations missing the message of prevention? While working in Harlem, I have found that people are not getting screened and treated because they feel they can’t afford to pay for a test if they have no insurance. They are also concerned that if there is a finding of cancer, they will never be able to get the care they need. For example, in Harlem we offered free colonoscopies to the first 100 people who came into the ho
