Characterizing the catchment area and identifying scientific priorities with communities: An example from the University of Illinois Cancer Center

Background The University of Illinois Cancer Center (UICC) has developed scalable approaches to determine catchment priorities with communities, including: (1) defining the Special Geographies Areas (SGA) within the catchment area, wherein UICC has a clinical presence; (2) characterizing disparities; and (3) identifying scientific priorities.Methods Population-level data (2017–2022) were used to characterize the burden of cancer and its determinants across the UICC SGA and overall catchment area, and the nation. Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) data (2023) were used to characterize the types of science prioritized by residents from SGA and other areas.Results Relative to the nation and catchment area, SGA residents face greater adverse social determinants of health (SDOH: e.g. poverty, food insecurity, pollution) and suffer from a greater cancer burden. Among the 1255 CHNA respondents, SGA and other residents prioritized research on lifestyle factors to prevent cancer (47%), multi-cancer early detection strategies (43%), and novel treatments that would result in minimal side effects (31%). Resident endorsements have guided recent UICC scientific investments.Discussion Multi-method approaches to population and needs assessment data are powerful resources for cancer centers to co-determine scientific priorities, co-plan scientific investments, and co-develop innovative programs driven by cancer data, all with community stakeholders.