For this assignment imagine you are riding in an elevator with an influential player in public health (e.g. Margaret Chen, Bill Gates, the president of the World Bank). This person, recognizing that you are a student, turns to you and asks you for your opinion about a particular disease control program. You’ve got your iPad or tablet with you. What will you say? The purpose in the project is to be able to communicate epidemiological information in a succinct manner so that it captures the attention of the audience. You will prepare an “elevator pitch” to “sell” your topic. During your pitch you will need to use two figures (no more or less than two). These figures will be either be a table or a graph showing temporal or spatial comparisons. Your presentation must be less than 2­minutes. You will be trying to convince potential stakeholders or funding agencies that colorectal cancer is a problem and it needs immediate attention. Consider how you will convince someone that this condition is underfunded or needs more funding. Required Elements 1. The Hook: a. Your hook is a statement or question that opens your presentation to grab the attention of a potential stakeholder. Make sure your hook is catchy. This statement needs to drawn in the stakeholder for the rest of your presentation. 2. Content: a. In your presentation you need to summarize the facts and pertinent epidemiological information in a clear and concise way. b. The content needs to focus on a specific goal. In this case getting funding, more funding, or immediate attention for your specific condition. 3. Graphics: a. Utilize two graphics that support your pitch. b. Each graphic should be easy to read. 4. Organization: a. Organize your thoughts and only include the most important impactful information. b. The pitch should build to and end with a request. What are asking for (funding, more funding, needs immediate attention, etc…)? 5. Professionalism/Communication a. Make sure your pitch is geared towards the correct audience. b. Use words that are impactful, but that everyone understands. c. Stay within the time limit of 2 minutes. Guidelines for Submission: The presentation must be 2 minutes or shorter.

Elevator Pitch: The Urgent Need for Funding in Colorectal Cancer Control

Hook: Did you know that colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide? Despite its high mortality rate, colorectal cancer receives significantly less funding compared to other cancers. Today, I would like to discuss the urgent need for funding in colorectal cancer control and why immediate attention is needed.

Content: Colorectal cancer is a major public health problem, with approximately 1.8 million new cases and 880,000 deaths reported globally each year. It affects both men and women, and its incidence and mortality rates are rising across different regions. This disease not only has a huge impact on individuals and families but also places a significant burden on healthcare systems.

Unfortunately, the funding for colorectal cancer control does not reflect its impact and importance. According to recent data, colorectal cancer receives a disproportionately small amount of research funding compared to other cancers. For example, breast cancer, which has a similar global incidence, receives four times more funding than colorectal cancer. This lack of funding hampers efforts to develop effective prevention strategies, improve early detection methods, and advance treatment options.

Graphics: *Present table/graph comparing funding allocation among different cancers*

As you can see from this figure, colorectal cancer is significantly underfunded compared to other cancers. Despite its high mortality rate, it receives a fraction of the funding allocated to breast, lung, and prostate cancers. This glaring disparity in funding undermines our ability to effectively combat this disease and save lives.

Organization: To address this issue, there is an urgent need for increased funding in colorectal cancer control. By investing in research, prevention, and treatment efforts, we can make significant progress in reducing the burden of this disease. Increased funding will enable us to develop more accurate screening tests, invest in targeted therapies, and implement comprehensive prevention programs.

Moreover, funding in colorectal cancer control should also prioritize addressing healthcare disparities. Lower-income populations and minority groups are disproportionately affected by colorectal cancer, yet they often face barriers to accessing timely screening and care. With adequate funding, we can ensure that everyone has equal access to high-quality care and improve outcomes across all population groups.

Professionalism/Communication: It is crucial to convey this message to potential stakeholders and funding agencies in a manner that is impactful and easily understood. By highlighting the significant impact of colorectal cancer and the disparity in funding, we can emphasize the urgency of the situation. Additionally, using clear and concise language will ensure that our message resonates with all stakeholders.

Time Limit: This elevator pitch has been designed to fit within a 2-minute time frame to effectively grab the attention of stakeholders and convey the urgency of the issue. By presenting the facts, using compelling graphics, and making a clear request for increased funding, we can effectively communicate the pressing need for immediate action in addressing colorectal cancer.

As future leaders in public health, it is our responsibility to advocate for increased funding and attention for colorectal cancer control. By bringing this issue to the forefront, we can make a meaningful impact in reducing the burden of this disease and saving lives. Thank you for considering the urgent need for increased funding in colorectal cancer control.