On May 6, 2005, the National Cancer Institute announced the Community Networks Program (CNP), a 5-year initiative to reduce cancer disparities in minority and underserved populations through community participation in education, research and training.

Building upon the work of the previous Special Populations Networks, the CNP aims to improve access to- and utilization of- beneficial cancer interventions and treatments in communities experiencing cancer health disparities.

Collectively, the CNP initiative engaged a broad array of community partners and scholars and reported a number of benefits associated with CBPR. CBPR guided development of strong partnerships that improved research designs, focused interventions toward community needs and interests, and strengthened capacity of partners. The findings can help to inform other community–university partnerships engaging in CBPR. They also can inform government and private funders on the benefits of targeting resources to CBPR efforts to reduce cancer disparities.