UICC World Cancer Congress 2006

Methods: We searched the NCI-PMA database for nutritional epidemiology cancer health disparities grants awarded from 1983 to 2005.

Results: Forty-three nutrition epidemiology awards investigating a diverse range of cancers in 9 distinct racial/ethnic groups were funded. When comparing funding mechanisms for health disparity nutritional epidemiologic research, 71% were supported by the R01 funding mechanism while 23% were supported by R03's. The R01 mechanism supported the greatest diversity investigating 9 distinct racial/ethnic population groups. While R03's and R37's each investigated health issues in 5 racial/ethnic groups, slightly fewer racial/ethnic groups were investigated by either P01 or U01 mechanisms. These nutrition epidemiology awards spanned 18 distinct cancer tissue types with women comprising the largest percentage of study participants. Although investigators were highly responsive to submitting applications in response to funding opportunity announcements, continuing applications were more successful than new applications. Overall, our findings suggest NCI supports a diverse span of cancer research in racially and ethnically diverse populations stressing the inclusion of women participants. These awards predominately focused on studies of antioxidants/phytoestrogens, general dietary components and energy balance however a minor emphasis included vitamin D, folate, overall SES, and dietary acculturation issues. In conclusion, our findings suggest the need for greater emphasis on issues of food choices, SES, and acculturation to reduce the cancer risk and mortality in these underserved populations.