Experts from the National Lung Cancer Roundtable have created a customizable, web-based platform that allows groups and local leaders to develop state-based action plans for reducing lung cancer mortality rates. The platform, called the SBI Planning Tool, allows users to explore real-world state-specific data and best practices for addressing lung cancer screenings, treatments, and more across their state in an effort to streamline lung cancer efforts.
The task group and study authors believe that the tool will "equip state and local leaders with the resources needed to drive meaningful change, reduce disparities, and improve lung cancer prevention, screening, and treatment efforts nationwide," as they wrote in a report published in Cancer.
Background and Tool Resources
The American Cancer Society National Lung Cancer Roundtable (ACS NLCRT) was founded in 2017 to bring together public, private, and nonprofit groups to help reduce lung cancer deaths. Among the tasks established by the ACS NLCRT was the State-Based Initiatives (SBI) Task Group, which was meant to establish resources and strategies for states to address lung cancer locally.
“It is often said that ‘all public health is local,’ and the aim of the ACS NLCRT State-Based Initiatives Task Group is to give local leaders, health-care professionals, and advocates the tools to efficiently and effectively develop tailored programs to advance lung cancer control in their state. Among the many achievements of the ACS NLCRT, the development of the SBI Planning Tool ranks high on the list,” said senior author Robert A. Smith, PhD, Senior Vice President, Cancer Screening, American Cancer Society.
Based on their task, the SBI Task Group developed the web platform through meetings, interviews, and usability testing with public health leaders, health-care professionals, policymakers, and patient advocates. The platform was inspired by the ACS National Colorectal Cancer Roundtable's "Guide to the Development of State-Level Colorectal Cancer Coalitions." The convened group set out to create a user-friendly tool, which they refined through rounds of beta-testing and user feedback surveys to ensure the tool's accessibility and relevance. They intended for the tool to be tailored toward personalized recommendations based on each individual state's needs, challenges, and assets, with an eye toward health equity as well.
The functionalities of the platform include, for example, the ability to review existing lung cancer programs and policy environments for each state.
The task group believes that the tool could be a critical advancement for local lung cancer control.
Disclosure: For full disclosures of the study authors, visit acsjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com.
