Research has shown that African Americans experience higher overall cancer incidence and mortality rates and lower overall cancer survival rates than all other major ethnic populations (i.e., Asian, Latino, Native American, and White) in the United States. Between 1973 and 1991, the rate of all cancer incidence among African Americans increased 23.6%. [2] In 1992, more than 32,000 African-American males and more than 26,000 African-American females died from cancer, and only 38% of African Americans survived after diagnosis, compared to 50% of Whites. [3] This disparity between African Americans and other ethnic groups is an indicator of the need for effective cancer education materials for members of the African-American community.[4]

Audiovisual cancer education materials can be interactive and reach a large number of African Americans at one time. In addition, audiovisual cancer education materials have the potential to reach low literacy audiences who may not be able to read or comprehend printed cancer education materials. Great potential exists to increase health care knowledge in the African-American community by using audiovisual cancer education materials. However, many cultural factors that affect the health care needs of African Americans differ from those of other ethnic populations, and the information in many audiovisual cancer education materials is not adequately sensitive to the culture of African Americans.[5] As a result, many African Americans do not receive the cancer prevention message from these audiovisual cancer education materials. [6] Through the careful development of culturally sensitive audiovisual cancer education materials, the cancer prevention message can reach more African Americans on a more comprehensive scale.

	African-American Culture
	The Guide