Populations in Mexico and Latin America are disproportionately impacted by cancer compared to populations in higher-income countries. One cause of these inequities is limited implementation of evidence-based cancer control interventions
LISTOS (Leveraging Implementation Science To Operationalize Strategies) for Cancer Control was created by researchers at UTHealth Houston Institute for Implementation Science, the National Institute of Public Health of Mexico (INSP), and the National Cancer Institute of Mexico (INCAN) with funding from the NIH to address these inequities.The LISTOS Center has two primary aims:
- Build organizational readiness for implementation of cancer control evidence-based interventions in Mexico.
- Build readiness for implementation research through capacity building, training, and mentorship in Mexico and Latin America.
Ultimately, we intend to create a sustainable infrastructure to enable a new generation of researchers in Mexico and Latin America to continue innovating and contributing to the field of Implementation Science for years to come.
What’s in a name?
We chose the name LISTOS (Leveraging Implementation Science To Optimize Strategies) for Cancer Control), not only because it aptly describes the goal of the Center, but also because the word “listos” in Spanish has two meanings that are relevant for the proposed work.
First, “listos” literally means “ready” and improving readiness for both implementation research capacity and improving (organizational) readiness for implementation of cancer control EBIs in Mexico, are central Center goals. “Listo” also means “smart, and its connotation, much like in English, differs from “intelligence” in that it denotes real-world pragmatic know-how.
Our Center aims not only to advance the science of implementation in LMICs (measurement, adaptation, and strategy development), but to do so in a way that is grounded in pragmatism, co-created and embraced by the community/organization, sustained over time, and scalable.
The LISTOS Center Cores
The Administrative and Engagement Core
Offers administrative support, coordination, communication, and engagement activities; and leads dissemination efforts.
Núcleo de Capacitación en Ciencia de la Implementación
Desarrolla programas de formación en implementación en salud pública. Fortalece la investigación aplicada mediante mentoría y colaboraciones con instituciones académicas y de salud en la región.
The LISTOS center cores support two innovative research studies that will increase the reach, effectiveness, and sustainment of cancer early detection in health care systems that serve disadvantaged populations in Mexico, using innovative and scalable implementation strategies.