To address the challenges of health disparities in multiple chronic diseases, our centers are developing and delivering new understandings and intervention approaches for chronic disease prevention, testing, diagnosis, linkage to care, and treatment for affected communities. Our projects range from implementation approaches to community-engaged strategies, and our research network supports multi-directional exchange of data and ideas between each center.
"The same social determinants of health – access to nutritious food, safe housing and quality education - influence disparities in multiple chronic diseases, including hypertension, diabetes, cancer, oral health, and HIV. And those diseases also often interact with one another. The idea is to connect all of those dots."
Common Data Elements & Data Harmonization Working Group
Research and data managers from each center collaborate in the Common Data Elements & Data Harmonization Working Group (CDE&DH WG). The objective of the CDE&DH WG is to review the compiled information and recommend the required Common Data Elements for all Consortium research projects to collect and the data systems to be used for transferring de-identified data to the Research Coordination Center.
Pilot Studies
In addition to their core research projects, each center also funds and supports pilot projects from early stage investigators. These are managed through the Investigator Skills Development cores.
Resources
NIMHD Minority Health and Health Disparities Research Framework
The NIMHD Minority Health and Health Disparities Research Framework is a multi-dimensional model that depicts a wide array of health determinants relevant to understanding and addressing minority health and health disparities. The framework facilitates assessment of progress, gaps, and opportunities in the NIMHD and NIH minority health and health disparities research portfolios.
PhenX Toolkit
The PhenX Toolkit (consensus measures for Phenotypes and eXposures) provides recommended standard data collection protocols for conducting biomedical research.