A second study, led by Vince Freeman, UIC assistant professor of epidemiology, will compile data on prostate and colorectal cancer cases diagnosed between 1995 and 2008 in Chicago to conduct a population-based analysis of clinical, socioeconomic and health care factors that account for mortality differences between African Americans and Caucasians.

Ultimately, these statistical models will allow researchers to predict hot-spot areas heavily burdened with disease, said Calhoun, and provide effective measures for deploying resources such as targeted cancer screenings.

The center has a research core, a training and education core, and a community engagement core, led by Richard Warnecke, Faye Davis, and Carol Ferrans, respectively, who are researchers at the UIC Institute for Health Research and Policy.

Rauscher and Freeman are researchers at the UIC Institute for Health Research and Policy and the UIC Cancer Center.

The new UIC Center of Excellence in Eliminating Health Disparities will involve faculty from all six of UIC's health sciences colleges, the UIC Institute for Health Research and Policy, the UIC Center for Clinical Translational Science, and the UIC Cancer Center to develop a comprehensive strategy to incorporate research, education, policy changes and community partnerships to reduce health disparities in Chicago and beyond.

An extended interview as MP3 audio file is available at https://blackboard.uic/bbcswebdav/institution/web/news/podcasts/PdCst65-Aug4%2709-Calhoun.mp3

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