About NBLIC II
Cancer is the second leading cause of death among African Americans, taking more lives than in any other racial group. It is second only to heart disease as a cause of death. According to the National Center for Health Statistics, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 1997, approximately 22.2% or approximately 61,333 African American deaths were cancer related. (continue)

Historical Review
In 1986, the National Cancer Institute's National Cancer Advisory Board (NCAB), recognizing the significant disparity in cancer incidence and mortality between blacks and whites, approved a special initiative to reach African Americans. Thus, the National Black Leadership Initiative on Cancer (NBLIC) was launched as the first minority outreach project of the National Cancer Institute. Under the leadership of Louis W. Sullivan, M.D., then a NCAB member, NBLIC was to elicit "the interest, support, and participation of the nation's black leaders and to reach the black community with information and strategies to prevent cancer. (continue)

Phases of The NBLIC II: Network Project
The National Black Leadership Initiative on Cancer II Network Project was established in 2000, to create cancer control, prevention, and research and training programs for minority and underserved populations with the ultimate goal of raising cancer awareness, reducing cancer incidence and mortality, increasing cancer survival, and improving access to health care. The Project includes the implementation of three phases over a five-year funding period, targeting 23 densely populated African American, high prevalence cancer communities (HPCC). Phases of the Project are described below: (continue)