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Cancer research

Low Lung Cancer Screening Uptake Among Asian-Americans Despite Efficacy of Community Health Worker Program

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Asian-Americans with high smoking prevalence exhibit low participation in lung cancer screening despite its potential to reduce mortality, according to research findings from Thomas Jefferson University. The study aimed to develop and evaluate the culturally sensitive Connect4LungHealth intervention, which combines mobile text messaging with community health worker support to promote lung cancer screening and smoking cessation in high-risk Chinese and Korean communities.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Connect4LungHealth intervention showed significant potential in improving lung cancer screening uptake and reducing cigarette use among high-risk Asian populations.
  • The program utilized an integrated approach, incorporating mobile text messaging and community health worker support, which is highly relevant and implementable in underserved communities.
  • Of the 36 enrolled participants, 20 were assigned to the Connect4LungHealth group and 16 to the attention control group, with a retention rate of above 75%.
  • Results showed a greater reduction in cigarette use and increased self-efficacy in the Connect4LungHealth group compared to the control group.
  • The intervention achieved a 40% completion rate of low-dose CT scans in the Connect4LungHealth group, compared to 12.5% in the control group.

Statistics:

  • 48 individuals were approached for participation in the study, with 36 (75%) agreeing and consenting to participate.
  • 19 Chinese Americans and 17 Korean Americans participated in the study.
  • Participants averaged 61 years old, with 86.1% being males and 80.6% having a high school education or less.
  • 50% of participants had limited English proficiency.
  • The Connect4LungHealth group showed a greater reduction in cigarette use from baseline to 3-month follow-up, with a 40% completion rate of low-dose CT scans.

Sources:

  • A Community Health Worker-driven and Integrated Interactive Text Messaging Intervention To Promote Smoking Cessation and Lung Cancer Screening Uptake Rates Among High-risk Asian Immigrants: a Feasibility Pilot Rct Study. Translational Behavioral Medicine, 2025;15(1).
  • Kuang-Yi Wen et al. "A Community Health Worker-driven and Integrated Interactive Text Messaging Intervention To Promote Smoking Cessation and Lung Cancer Screening Uptake Rates Among High-risk Asian Immigrants: a Feasibility Pilot Rct Study."
  • NewsRx. Studies from Thomas Jefferson University in the Area of Lung Cancer Described (A Community Health Worker-driven and Integrated Interactive Text Messaging Intervention To Promote Smoking Cessation and Lung Cancer Screening Uptake Rates Among ...). Cancer Weekly. July 1, 2025; p 596.

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