Changing Health Systems to Increase Colorectal Cancer Screening

What to know

This cooperative agreement funds recipients who will partner with health systems and primary care clinics with low colorectal cancer screening prevalence.

Overview

Recipients will work with their partners to use evidence-based interventions (EBIs) to increase colorectal cancer screening among people aged 45 to 75 years. The focus is on populations that have low screening prevalence and experience barriers to screening.

Partner clinics must have screening prevalence below the national, regional, or local average. Programs should emphasize identifying populations that have lower screening prevalence or clinic sub-populations who may need more support to complete the screening process.

For more details, visit Changing Health Systems Using Evidence-based interventions to Increase Colorectal Cancer Screening.

Key dates

  • February 20: Applications due
  • May 30: Expected award date
  • June 30: Expected start date

Questions and answers

In reviewing the NOFO, it is referenced throughout that the applicant is partnering with the health clinics. Can a hospital be an applicant?

Yes, if the hospital meets the eligibility criteria described on page 8, it is eligible to apply. The program’s goal is to increase colorectal cancer screening among populations whose screening prevalence is currently low. This is particularly the case among people served by Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and community health centers—where screening is often lower than in the general population. Recall that only one award recipient will be selected per state (page 43). It is important that award recipients establish relationships with FQHCs, community health centers, and primary care clinics that serve the population of interest. Award recipients must also show their ability to successfully work with partner clinics and supporting partners (page 17).

Just to confirm, is the application deadline 11:59 p.m. ET on February 20, 2025, and the deadline for optional letters of intent on January 13, 2025?

Yes, this is correct.

Can a not-for-profit health system or hospital be the lead applicant? Per the NOFO page 8 of 55, "nonprofits" are eligible to apply. And yet the partnership model intended by the CDC is clear (with FQHCs, community health centers, and primary care clinics that serve the population of interest [NOFO page 41 of 55]). This question is being spurred also by the NOFO Letters of Support language, which seems to [imply] that a health[y] entity is a partner and not a lead applicant: "One letter of support from a health care system that provides services to adults. For example, an FQHC could be considered a health system and may have multiple primary clinic sites." (NOFO page 36 of 55.)

Yes, if the hospital meets the eligibility criteria described on page 8, it is eligible to apply. The program’s goal is to increase colorectal cancer screening among populations whose screening prevalence is currently low, particularly among those served by Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and community health centers where screening use is often lower than in the general population. Recall that only one award recipient will be selected per state (page 43). It is important that award recipients establish relationships with FQHCs, community health centers, and primary care clinics that serve the population of interest. Award recipients must also show their ability to form successful partnerships with partner clinics and supporting partners (page 17).