Cooperative Agreement NU58DP007984

The District of Columbia Department of Health received a $681,269 Cooperative Agreement from the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) under the Organized Approaches to Increase Colorectal Cancer Screening program (CFDA 93.800) awarded August 30, 2025, with a completion date of August 29, 2030. Under this five-year award, DC Health will implement the DC Colorectal Cancer Control Program (DC3C) to reduce colorectal cancer incidence and mortality in Washington, D.C. by increasing screening rates among high-risk populations, particularly Medicaid and Medicare beneficiaries and low-income individuals aged 45-75 years served by federally qualified health centers (FQHCs).

DC Health will deliver evidence-based interventions and organizational services through strategic partnerships with FQHCs, primary care clinics, health systems, and technical assistance support organizations. Key products and services include establishing and enhancing clinic partnerships to improve screening access; implementing evidence-based interventions such as patient and provider reminders, patient navigation services, provider assessment and feedback, and structural barrier reduction initiatives; conducting monitoring and evaluation to assess intervention effectiveness; and providing support for stool-based testing and colonoscopies while alleviating cost burdens on patients. These coordinated efforts aim to improve early-stage colorectal cancer detection and reduce mortality among District residents currently experiencing low screening rates, particularly within FQHC populations where the 2020 screening rate was only 41%.