HealthLink & Action Councils

Michigan Cancer HealthLink is a statewide network created to build research capacity in diverse communities. HealthLink brings together community members and cancer researchers to develop research ideas as well as educational and service-based programs. If community members and researchers work together, targeted research and programming can be developed to improve a wide range of cancer outcomes in our area.

At the heart of Michigan Cancer HealthLink are the Cancer Action Councils (CACs). CACs are groups made up of community members and representatives from community-based organizations who apply their knowledge about local cancer issues to improving the lives of cancer patients, survivors and caregivers in their communities. CAC members are actively engaged in their communities and are working to create healthier neighborhoods.

What's on this page


What do CACs do?

  • Learn more about the ways in which cancer affects communities In Michigan.
  • Participate in conversations with cancer researchers about research that can benefit communities.
  • Gain skills in partnering with cancer researchers to develop and fund projects and programs.
  • Address cancer-related health needs in their communities.
  • Set priorities for future cancer care research and funding
  • Improve access to cancer care.

LGBTQ CAC

Established as part of work funded in 2017 by a Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) Engagement Award (“Partnering with Sexual and Gender Minority Communities to Address Cancer Disparities in Detroit,” PCORI # 6252-WSU), Office of Community Outreach and Engagement (COE) has partnered with LGBT Detroit and other grassroots organizations to increase capacity among LGBT community stakeholders in metro Detroit -to develop and pursue a cancer research agenda.

Black Men's CAC

Established as part of work funded in 2019 by Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) Engagement Award (“Best Practices to Engage Black Men in the Development of a Cancer Health Equity Research Agenda,” PCORI # 423817), the overarching goal of this group is to increase capacity among black male community stakeholders to engage as partners in cancer research in Detroit.

Western Wayne CAC

Established as part of work funded in 2016 by a Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) Engagement Award (“Preparing Detroit Communities to Advance Cancer Research,” PCORI # 2971-WSUSM), this CAC was among the first created as part of Michigan Cancer HealthLink (formerly Detroit HealthLink for Equity in Cancer Care) and is coordinated in partnership with Western Wayne Family Health Centers, with the Inkster clinic as its home base.

ACCESS - Dearborn CAC

Established as part of work funded in 2016 by the DMC Foundation (“Detroit HealthLink for Equity in Cancer Care: Expanding to Arab American Communities.”), this CAC is coordinated in partnership with ACCESS (Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services), the largest Arab American human services nonprofit in the United States.

Connor Creek

Established as part of work funded in 2016 by a Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) Engagement Award (“Preparing Detroit Communities to Advance Cancer Research,” PCORI # 2971-WSUSM), this CAC was among the first created as part of Michigan Cancer HealthLink (formerly Detroit HealthLink for Equity in Cancer Care).

Macomb County CAC

The Macomb County CAC was established in 2018 as part of the expansion of Michigan Cancer HealthLink and is coordinated in partnership with the Macomb Health Department.

Metro Flint/Genesee County CAC

The Genesee County CAC was established in 2018 as part of the expansion of Michigan Cancer HealthLink.

Oakland County CAC

The Oakland County CAC was established in 2018 as part of the expansion of Michigan Cancer HealthLink in partnership with the American Cancer Society – North Central Region Division.

Young Survivors CAC

Established as part of work funded by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), Office of Community Outreach and Engagement (COE) has partnered with Gilda's Club Metro Detroit to increase capacity among young cancer survivors in metro Detroit to develop and pursue a cancer research agenda.

Rural CAC

Established as part of work funded by a Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) Engagement Award, Office of Community Outreach and Engagement (COE) has partnered with individuals across Michigan to form the Rural Michigan Cancer Action Council. Residents from the Thumb, Mid-Michigan and Northern Michigan meet to learn about community-based participatory research and to provide a voice to cancer patients, survivors and caregivers living outside of metropolitan areas.

Genomic Research Action Council (G-RAC)

Established as part of work funded in 2020 by a Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) Engagement Award (“Building Capacity in Detroit’s African American Faith Community to Advance Genomic Research,” PCORI # 20136-WSU). Office of Community Outreach and Engagement (COE) has partnered with the Faith Based Genetics Research Institute (FBGRI) to increase the capacity among faith leaders in metro-Detroit to learn more about how genomics affect personalized medicine and set priorities for future genomic research and funding

Cancer Action Council (CAC) Research Priorities and Questions

Click here to review CAC research priorities and questions

Cancer Action Council (CAC) Projects and Activities

Review ongoing CAC projects and activities

Apply to a CAC

For more information, please contact Brittany Dowe at 313-576-8876 or email at doweb@karmanos.org.