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Dissemination research in cancer control: where are we and where should we go?

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Abstract

Dissemination of evidence-based programs and policies is a critical final step in reducing the burden of cancer in the general public. Yet, we have not been fully successful to date in improving clinical or public health practice by disseminating programs found to be effective in research. Therefore, research is needed into the dissemination process and outcomes to enable better efforts in the future. This paper explores the definitions and models used for dissemination, the designs of dissemination studies, and possible research questions in dissemination research, all focused on cancer prevention and control. We hope that this paper will encourage dissemination research in our field.

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Acknowledgments

We gratefully acknowledge the support from the following grants: DK56350, CA124415, CA11464, CA124394, CA108663, DP000064, a grant from Liberty Mutual, DP00059-04, and CA124400 in completing this work.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Social and Behavioral Sciences Department, School of Public Health, Boston University, 715 Albany Street T2 W, Boston, MA, 02118, USA

    Deborah J. Bowen

  2. Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA

    Glorian Sorensen & Karen Emmons

  3. Department of Health Policy and Management, School of Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA

    Bryan J. Weiner

  4. Department of Nutrition, School of Public Health, and Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA

    Marci Campbell

  5. Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA

    Cathy Melvin

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  1. Deborah J. Bowen
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Correspondence to Deborah J. Bowen.

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Bowen, D.J., Sorensen, G., Weiner, B.J. et al. Dissemination research in cancer control: where are we and where should we go?. Cancer Causes Control 20, 473–485 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10552-009-9308-0

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