UNC Unveils Comprehensive Cancer Data Dashboard
The UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center has unveiled a groundbreaking public data resource, designed to empower a diverse range of users. This includes the general public, researchers, healthcare professionals, and policymakers, by providing access to critical cancer-related information.
The North Carolina Cancer Health Assets and Needs Assessment (CHANA) tool, accessible via the UNC Lineberger's Office of Community Outreach and Engagement (https://unclineberger.org/community-outreach), is a powerful resource. It offers healthcare providers a comprehensive view of cancer trends across all 100 counties in North Carolina, enabling them to deliver more personalized care.
Dr. Lisa Spees, an expert in cancer outcomes and CHANA's Director, emphasizes the tool's potential: "By consolidating data in one place, we enhance research, information retrieval, and public health monitoring. Our goal is to increase cancer awareness and knowledge among patients and the communities we serve."
CHANA's data is sourced from various publicly available sources, including the North Carolina Central Cancer Registry, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Cancer Information & Population Health Resource (CIPHR) (https://ciphr.unc.edu/), community groups, and surveys. All data is aggregated and deidentified to protect individual privacy.
Dr. Robert Ferris, Executive Director of UNC Lineberger, highlights the tool's importance: "These data are crucial for identifying disparities and ensuring our research aligns with the needs of our population."
CHANA Data Dashboards
The online dashboards (https://unclineberger.org/community-outreach/who-we-serve/data-dashboards/) offer detailed insights into various cancer-related topics, such as:
- Cancer incidence and mortality
- Cancer screening
- Risk factors (including tobacco, alcohol, physical inactivity, and obesity)
- Social determinants of health (housing, transportation, racial/ethnic minorities, socioeconomic status)
- End-of-life quality care indicators
- Cancer treatment quality indicators (upcoming)
CHANA Report
The 112-page report (https://unclineberger.org/community-outreach/who-we-serve/data-graphics/) is tailored for local and state decision-makers, including health department directors, federally qualified health center directors, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, and fellow cancer centers.
It provides:
- State-level demographics
- Social determinants of health and access to care
- Risk factors
- Screening data
- Incidence, mortality, treatment, and survivorship statistics
County Profiles
County profiles (https://unclineberger.org/community-outreach/who-we-serve/county-profiles-and-resources/) are designed for community events, offering:
- County-level demographics
- Cancer incidence and mortality rates
- Risk factors
- Screening behavior insights
- Distance to cancer screening facilities and treatment centers
- Local resources for cancer survivors
For more information, visit the UNC Lineberger Community Outreach and Engagement website (https://unclineberger.org/community-outreach).
This initiative is a significant step towards improving cancer care and research, ensuring that data-driven decisions benefit all North Carolinians.
