HPA and the American Cancer Society (ACS) are working together on developing a learning collaborative to improve  colorectal cancer screening rates in New York.  This voluntary partnership was created to influence stakeholders who have an interest in increasing screening  rates in New York and encourage them to take action.  To influence the adoption of one or more strategies for improving colorectal screening rates, HPA and ACS conducted information conferences that highlights successful inititiatives among health plans, hospitals and the New York State Department of Health.  By sharing these initiatives in a dynamic setting, HPA and ACS believe other organizations will be inspired to develop initiatives of their own.  Currently, the stakeholders are a mix of medical professional societies, the state and city departments of health, health plans, the business community, hospital representation and IPRO, the state’s quality improvement organization.

Most recently, the HPA/ACS partnership collaborated with the New York State Department of Health Cancer Services Program for funding from the national Cancer Research Prevention Foundation (CRPF) to host a “Dialogue for Action” (DFA) leadership summit in New York in June 2006.  DFA was designed to engage a the broad diversity of colorectal cancer screening stakeholders throughout the state in a highly interactive and dynamic process in order to advance strategies and action plans for prevention and early detection of colorectal cancer.

As all HPA member plans provide the full range of evidence-based screening methods for colorectal cancer, HPA is also involved in regional activities aimed at getting consumers to seek out screening.  HPA has sponsored radio public service announcements using concerned state legislators to get out the message.  These announcements stress the importance of colorectal cancer screening and urge people 50 years and over to ask their doctor for a test.  These ads have played statewide, impacting communities in Western and Central New York, as well as Long Island, Westchester and the Bronx.  Also, in Westchester County, HPA partnered with the local ACS to plan a community education forum held in March, 2005.