Date Time Austin Screening Initiative Strikes a Cost-Effective Balance in Colorectal Cancer Prevention Among Underserved Populations AUSTIN, Texas – We are one step closer to identifying an optimal solution for colorectal cancer screening among low-income populations – one that is both impactful and cost effective – thanks to researchers from The University of Texas at Austin. The study of more than 22,000 adults is published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine. Using principles of preventive medicine and health economics, a research team from UT Austin’s Dell Medical School and LBJ School of Public Affairs analyzed the outcomes and costs associated with a program in Travis County that mails colorectal screening tests, known as fecal immunochemical tests (FIT), to patients’ homes. The research aims to measure and prove the cost-effectiveness of the screening initiative for a safety-net population, setting the stage for replicating this innovative cancer prevention model beyond Austin.