Research
Research | Past Research | USUCHD Abstracts
Outline of Past Research Programs
EXPORT Center benefits immensely from its integration between and among Component units. An ongoing, multi-directional feedback process ensures meaningful interaction and collaboration between the four main Components (i.e., Minority Health and Health Disparity Education, Research, Community Outreach/Information Dissemination, and Training), the Scientific Director, the Advisory Committee, and the Principal Investigator to maximize effectiveness and impact.
Research outcomes, for example, are designed to feed the other EXPORT Center units. In particular, the Obesity Treatment and Prevention among African Americans: Utilizing Networks Outside Traditional Settings to Eliminate Health Disparities research component will provide useful data in regard to identifying, contacting, motivating, and training minority populations about healthy diets, weight management, health promotion, and disease prevention. Information and outcomes gleaned from this process will generate additional relevant research questions. Creating a research infrastructure in the community will also be accomplished through this collaboration and partnership.
Data generated as a function of the Reducing Health Disparities Through the Enhancement of Patient-Provider Relationships research project will be instructive in terms of developing training programs for prospective and current health professionals and minority patient populations (e.g., how to communicate effectively during the doctor-patient encounter). As a function of the EXPORT Center's Training Component, minority students involved with research projects at USUHS and other satellite locations will collect data and generate ideas that will fuel additional research projects and impact training programs and community outreach initiatives. All activities will focus upon reducing health disparities in minority populations.
Critical evaluations of training/education programs will, in turn, facilitate the development of related research and program evaluation ideas, and assist in the adjustment of training methods and content. Combined, this synergism should enable communities to conduct health disparities research, promote the dissemination of useful information to lay and professional communities, and provide meaningful community outreach programs.
