Over 2,800 Black women have enrolled! Find out how you can join this groundbreaking study!
Our Inspiration
For generations, Black women have not been equally included in important health research resulting in a lack of information specific to Black women’s health. Including Black women in research is a crucial step toward improving cancer outcomes and eliminating disparities. By joining together, we can gain valuable insights into the diverse experiences and health challenges faced by Black women and learn how to deliver culturally competent and effective interventions, treatments, and preventive measures. Black women have made significant advancements in the areas of education, economics, business, and politics. NOW is the time to see similar advancements in health. By engaging in the VOICES of Black Women, we can help transform the health of Black women.
While progress has been made, there is still work to be done.
Although VOICES is a long-term study, we don’t have to wait decades to improve the health of Black women. Your contributions today can help inform new strategies for reducing high-risk exposures tomorrow. Historically, public health recommendations have been based on the majority. Your voice will help to ensure that proposed strategies are both relevant and tailored to the Black community. Additionally, we believe VOICES is an investment in your own health awareness and education. As you partner with us by taking surveys, you have the opportunity to tune into your mental, emotional, and physical well-being, making changes as you choose (KEEP IN MIND, this study is purely observational!). As a participant, you will be among the first to learn about new research findings and how these findings provide information and tools to improve the health of Black women. Your contributions will also inform American Cancer Society programs and services to ensure they benefit the Black community. VOICES will benefit future generations of Black women, and it starts now. VOICES will benefit future generations of Black women, and it starts now. We are listening!
Our Vision
* Priority partnerships with Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Black investigators
The VOICES of Black Women study team is committed to engaging community voices throughout the study planning and implementation process. Our early engagement with communities has helped to inform the study design and approach. This included better understanding the barriers and facilitators to research participation among Black women and ensuring the relevancy and acceptability of the VOICES study design and materials for eligible participants. During the early phases of VOICES, we engaged over 200 ambassadors—trained individuals who advocate for and promote the study in their local networks and provide regular feedback on challenges and opportunities for community engagement. As we continue enrollment our established ACS partners will be fundamental in ensuring representation from diverse communities and inclusivity across demographics.
Transparency, Rigor, Accountability, and Impact are the guiding principles of the VOICES of Black Women study team, led by Drs. McCullough and Patel who have complementary expertise in cancer disparities, minority health, and population-based cohort study design. The study team receives strong support from an external scientific advisory board with diverse expertise in Black women’s health. The rich data generated in this study will enable teams of scientists to conduct compelling work—advancing our understanding around cancer prevention and survivorship among Black women. ACS is well-positioned to translate these scientific discoveries into action—informing advocacy, educating communities, and supporting patients during and after cancer treatment. Learn more about our collective impact and how to get involved.