Center for Health Disparities

Some of the research and educational activities that will be based in the Center have a national and international scope and include:

• Ohio’s first CDC-recognized National Diabetes Prevention Program, now accepting referrals. (Link to program information.)
• A Community-based Participatory Research (CBPR) study addressing rural health issues in Maine; the co-investigators and students have already made multiple trips for this research.
• A collaboration between Dr. Swagata Banik (Director of BW's Public Health program and the Center for Health Disparities), and Passamaquoddy Indian Americans in Maine in addressing substance use disorder and associated health disparities experienced by the Passamaquoddy Tribe.
• A collaboration between Dr. Swagata Banik (BWU) and UCC Church of Cleveland in addressing HIV health disparities in Cleveland.
• Affiliation with Public Health research projects in Ghana
• A new Williams Institute, UCLA-funded study examining transgender identity measures in the Midwest to B-W’s Public Health faculty members, Dr. Emilia Lombardi, and Dr. Banik.

Area physicians, scholars, public health agencies and others also have been invited to house their research under the umbrella of the Center. Banik said a University Hospitals researcher investigating hypertension and salt sensitivity is already in the fold.

Goal to Reduce Health Inequities, Involve Students

"Our vision is to be an NIH-recognized center for health disparity education," said Banik. "Our research will aim to develop innovative interventions that achieve measurable reductions in health disparities."

Banik said the Center also will provide a platform for research by students in Public Health, Nursing and other fields, along with future students in BW's Physician's Assistant graduate degree, awaiting provisional accreditation approval for 2013 enrollment.

A student fellows program will also engage undergraduates in the research and distinguish BW's Center. Initial research and public education will focus on vulnerable communities and health inequities in four areas: diabetes, HIV/AIDS, rural healthcare and LGBT populations.