Funding-Limited Submission – Avon Foundation for Women Breast Health Outreach Program; August 2, 2011

The Avon Foundation for Women has funded community‐based programs designed to improve utilization of regular breast cancer screening by at‐risk populations (minority and underinsured) since 1993. Despite improvements in the availability of free and low‐cost screening services supported through programs such as the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP), disparities in utilization of mammography persist. Socioeconomically disadvantaged women and recent immigrants have lower rates of mammography screening, and may be less likely to receive proper treatment of follow‐up care.

The Avon BHOP will seek to support programs that:

· recruit women for both first time screening and annual screening;

· develop partnerships between community‐based outreach providers and local medical providers;

· work with healthcare providers to ensure proper clinical follow‐up of abnormal screening results; and

· educate older women about Medicare coverage of annual screening mammograms and assist them in obtaining the service from providers who accept Medicare.

The Avon BHOP encourages programs to implement evidence‐based strategies to increase utilization of breast cancer screening. In addition to reducing out‐of‐pocket expenses by linking women with free or low‐cost screening services, these strategies include the use of client reminders (letters, postcards, or phone calls); small media (videos, brochures, or newsletters); one‐to‐one education (in person or by phone, in clinical or non‐clinical settings); and strategies to remove structural barriers (such as providing transportation, mobile screening, flexible hours, interpretation or translation, and/or childcare assistance).

For more information see:  http://avonbhop.org/files/2012RFA.pdf

Only one application for funding will be reviewed per organization.

Because the Foundation will review only one application per organization, UK will hold an internal competition. Individuals interested in submitting an application should send the following information electronically to the Office of the Vice President for Research at vpr@email.uky.edu and a copy to their Associate Dean for Research by Tuesday, August 2, 2011:

· Name and department of the project director/principal investigator

· Brief narrative describing the program (2 pages)

A committee will be convened to review the applications and make a recommendation. The selected applicant will be notified and identified as the individual authorized to submit the application before the August 26, 2011 deadline.

Questions about the submission process may be sent to Ms. Annette Evans in the Office of the Vice President for Research (alevan4@email.uky.edu or 257-1663.)