FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 15, 2025
Contact: Black Hawk County Public Health
Phone: 319-291-2413
publichealth@blackhawkcounty.iowa.gov
Community Meeting to Discuss Cancer in Black Hawk County Set for Monday, May 12
The Iowa Cancer Registry and University of Iowa College of Public Health, in collaboration with the Iowa Cancer Consortium, University of Iowa Health Care Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center, and Iowa Rural Health Association, are hosting the Cancer in Iowa: 99 Counties Project- a statewide effort to present county-specific cancer information and address community concerns in all 99 Iowa counties. The Black Hawk meeting is co-sponsored by Black Hawk County Public Health, MercyOne Waterloo Medical Center, Peoples Community Health Clinic, and UnityPoint Health.
The meeting for Black Hawk County will take place on Monday, May 12 at 4 p.m. Local community members, public health officials, community leaders, and policy makers are encouraged to attend and participate. Representatives from the 99 Counties Project will share the latest cancer data specific to Black Hawk County. A panel of local physicians will follow and will discuss common concerns, barriers, and myths. An open question-and-answer session will conclude the event. Local resources will also be available.
About the Cancer in Iowa: 99 Counties Project
The 99 Counties Project is a public health initiative aimed at enhancing cancer education and community engagement across Iowa’s 99 counties. Reports containing information about the rates of new cancers and cancer deaths in each county compared to the state of Iowa and the US, as well as risk factor data from the CDC’s Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, will be presented to each county. Meetings are also an opportunity to hear directly from community members about their questions, concerns, and ideas related to cancer and health in their communities.
WHO: Guest speakers include:
• Mary Charlton, PhD, Professor of Epidemiology at the University of Iowa Department of Epidemiology, and Director of the Iowa Cancer Registry
• Sarah Nash, PhD, Director of Research, Analytics, and Dissemination at the Iowa Cancer Registry, and Assistant Professor at the University of Iowa Department of Epidemiology
• Local physicians from MercyOne Waterloo Medical Center, Peoples Community Health Clinic, and UnityPoint Health
WHEN: May 12, 2025 from 4 to 5:30 p.m.
WHERE: Register for the event online or in-person here.
In-person: McBride Classroom at Allen College
1990 Heath Street, Waterloo, Iowa
Virtual: Link will be provided following registration.
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Audrey Gronemeyer, Project Coordinator at audrey-herring@uiowa.edu or
ICR-Media@uiowa.edu
Micah Knebel, Health Communications Strategist, Black Hawk County Public Health, mknebel@blackhawkcounty.iowa.gov
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Black Hawk County Public Health exists to ensure that people in our community have equitable opportunities and resources to lead healthier, more fulfilling, and longer lives. Established in 1969, the health department's mission is to protect people in our community from health hazards, promote healthy behaviors, and prevent disease. Black Hawk County Public Health was accredited by the National Public Health Accreditation Board in 2022. For more information about health department services visit the Black Hawk County Public Health website.