Lay Health Worker Outreach in Increasing Colorectal Cancer Screening in Asian Americans

PRIMARY OBJECTIVES: I. Evaluate the efficacy of lay health worker (LHWs) outreach on colorectal cancer (CRC) screening among 3 Asian American groups (Filipinos, Hmong, and Koreans) in a cluster randomized controlled trial (RCT) comparing CRC education delivered by LHWs (intervention) to a CRC brochure and nutrition education (control). II. Examine the processes through which LHWs communicate with, connect to, and convince community members from 3 Asian American cultures of the importance of CRC screening using mixed methods. OUTLINE: Lay health workers (LHWs) are randomized to 1 of 2 groups. GROUP I (CRC EDUCATION): LHWs undergo training over 3 days and recruit 15 participants from their social network. Participants attend a CRC educational session conducted by an LHW over 90 minutes at month 1 and 3. Participants receive phone calls from the LHW at months 2 and 4 reminding them about CRC screening. GROUP II (CRC BROCHURE): LHWs undergo training over 3 days and recruit 15 participants from their social network. Participants attend a lecture on healthy nutrition for cardiovascular health presented by a professional health educator at months 1 and 3. After the first meeting, participants receive a brochure on CRC screening. Participants receive phone calls from the LHW at months 2 and 4 regarding changes in their nutritional behavior. Participants may attend an optional post-intervention LHW outreach session on CRC screening. After completion of the study, patients are followed up at 2 months.