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Health Disparities PAR - R01
Behavioral and Social Science Research on
Understanding and Reducing Health Disparities
PAR-07-379
Examples of Research Topics
Several Institutes within the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have joined together to support this Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA). Applications should be relevant to both the objectives of the FOA and to at least one of the participating organization's general research interests. Researchers are strongly encouraged to review the general research interests of the participating organizations and the following examples of topics of specific interest to the participating entities. Because additional research areas are welcome, prospective applicants are encouraged to contact the relevant program administrator for this FOA as listed in Section VII prior to preparing an application.
National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM)
The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) is dedicated to exploring complementary and alternative healing practices in the context of rigorous science, training complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) researchers, and disseminating authoritative information to the public and health professionals. NCCAM seeks to advance CAM research in order to yield insights and tools to benefit the health and well-being of the public.
NCCAM envisions a health system in which no health disparities exist between the majority population and racial/ethnic minority populations, and in which appropriate CAM practices are integrated with conventional practices to promote health and treat disease. NCCAM will contribute to the elimination of health disparities by conducting research to identify CAM practices that are effective, disseminating research findings on those practices to all groups of Americans, and enriching the diversity of the CAM research community itself.
NCCAM defines CAM practices as those that are “…unproven by science and not presently considered an integral part of conventional medicine” (http://nccam.nih.gov/about/plans/2005/index.htm). NCCAM groups the wide range of CAM modalities into four domains: 1) Mind-Body Medicine; 2) Biologically-based practices; 3) Manipulative and body-based practices; and 4) Energy Medicine. In addition, NCCAM studies whole medical systems, such as Ayurvedic medicine, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Traditional Indigenous medicine, and homeopathy. More information on these areas can be found at: http://nccam.nih.gov/health/whatiscam/. <http://nccam.nih.gov/health/whatiscam/>
While many CAM therapies are in extensive use by the public, few have been thoroughly tested for safety and/or efficacy. For this reason, the potential role of traditional or CAM practices in the elimination of health disparities remains to be defined. As part of its contribution to this effort, NCCAM seeks to fund research to determine the safety and efficacy of CAM interventions regarding minority health and the possible roles of CAM in contributing to the elimination of racial and ethnic health disparities. Research illuminating mechanisms of action of relevant CAM interventions as well as outcomes of CAM use for health disparities conditions or diseases also are of interest.
NCCAM regards America’s diverse racial/ethnic groups as a valuable resource for learning about systems of healing and health practices outside the mainstream. For example, the rich heritage of traditional Native American medicine remains to be investigated more thoroughly, as do the many CAM practices that originated in or are traditional to cultures and countries outside America which were brought here by immigrating racial/ethnic minority populations. NCCAM’s research programs can serve a dual purpose: establishing which CAM interventions can benefit the health and well being of all Americans, but may be particularly useful and accepted in selected populations; and facilitating the integration of CAM practices into conventional health care in the United States. NCCAM is well-positioned to support research on the health beliefs and practices of various health disparity populations, particularly on uses of CAM instead of, or in association with, conventional medical care.
NCCAM updates its research priorities to reflect new scientific findings. Applicants are encouraged to consult NCCAM’s Research Funding Priorities web page (http://nccam.nih.gov/research/priorities/index.htm#5) and the appropriate program officer (http://nccam.nih.gov/research/contact/index.htm) for the most up-to-date priorities.
Catherine M. Stoney, Ph.D.
National Center for Complementary & Alternative Medicine
National Institutes of Health
6707 Democracy Blvd, Suite 401, MSC 5475
Bethesda, Maryland 20892-5475 (for express mail, use 20817)
Phone: 301 402 1272
Fax: 301 480 3621
E-mail: stoneyc@mail.nih.gov
National Library of Medicine (NLM)
The National Library of Medicine’s (NLM) specific interests is in supporting research in biomedical informatics where it intersects with behavioral and social science research on understanding and reducing health disparities. NLM defines biomedical informatics as the application of basic informational and computing sciences to improve clinical medicine, basic biomedical research, clinical and translational research, public health, and other health-related areas. We are particularly interested in the role informatics could play in helping those segments of the population experiencing health disparities find, understand, and use information to help alleviate health disparities.
In the broad areas of action influencing health disparities, as set out in the funding opportunity announcement (FOA), in the area of Public Policy, NLM is especially interested in research in informatics approaches to knowledge transfer in the context of policy formation and implementation.
In line with the Research Perspectives and Themes as set out in the FOA, NLM is especially interested in research involving Systems Science Methodologies, including the listed examples of methodologies: agent based modeling; system dynamics simulation; network analysis, including social network analytic methods; discrete event simulation; Markov modeling; stochastic modeling; differential equation/compartmental modeling.
NLM would also be interested in research themes that reach into the information sciences (such as information seeking/information needs studies, human-computer interaction and information design, and decision support systems), as they are applied to behavioral and social science research on understanding and reducing health disparities.
Hua-Chuan Sim, M.D.
Program Officer
Division of Extramural Programs
National Library of Medicine
6705 Rockledge Drive, Suite 301
Bethesda, MD 20892-7968
Phone: 301-594-4882
Fax: 301-402-2952
E-mail: simh@mail.nih.gov
National Eye Institute (NEI)
The NEI supports basic, translational and clinical research with respect to blinding eye diseases, visual disorders, preservation of sight, mechanisms of normal visual function, and the special health problems and requirements of individuals with impaired vision. The NEI also supports the development of new technologies, strategies, and research tools that can be applied to basic and translational research which will benefit vision health.
Specific areas of research interest include studies of glaucoma, myopia, and diabetic retinopathy with special emphasis on Hispanic, Native American, and African-American populations. Other areas are investigations of health services, in order to determine the number of Americans with eye disease and visual impairment; to measure the associated medical and societal costs; and to identify factors associated with the most effective delivery and use of vision care services.
Dr. Jerome R. Wujek
Research Resources Officer
Division of Extramural Research
National Eye Institute
National Institutes of Health
Suite 1300
5635 Fishers Lane, MSC 9300
Bethesda, MD 20892-9300
Phone: 301-451-2020
Fax: 301-402-0528
E-mail: wujekjer@nei.nih.gov
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
NIDA’s priority areas in health disparities research include: 1) disparities in HIV/AIDS in minority populations, particularly among African Americans and Hispanics associated with drug abuse and addiction; 2) criminal justice related health disparities among African Americans and Hispanics associated with drug abuse and addiction; 3) health disparities in rural communities associated with drug abuse and addiction among racial/ethnic and other populations; 4) research related to drug abuse and addiction of the socioeconomically disadvantaged in urban settings; and 5) patterns of drug use, effects and potential adverse behavioral, social and health consequences or differential treatment outcomes within and across Native America/Alaska Native and Asian American/Pacific Islander populations. (See NIDA’s Strategic Plan on Health Disparities at: http://www.drugabuse.gov/StrategicPlan/HealthStratPlan.html).
HIV/AIDS and other medical consequences of drug use continue to increase among African Americans, approximately 12% of the U.S. population, who comprise over half of the new HIV/AIDS cases. The rate for Hispanics is also disproportionately high. Limited epidemiologic data on Asian Americans exist, but some local data and the reports of clinicians and service providers working in those communities suggest that drug use and addiction are a hidden and growing problem. Moreover, the problem varies by ethnicity/country of origin within the broader racial/ethnic classification of Asian American/Pacific Islander. Drug abuse research on HIV/AIDS among racial/ethnic minority populations is, therefore, encouraged to elucidate the relationship between drug use, abuse, and dependence on the incidence and prevalence of HIV/AIDS and AIDS-related morbidity and mortality. In addition, research is needed on treatment and service delivery models examining HIV/AIDS among minority populations. Such research studies can lead to development of effective, culturally sensitive prevention, intervention, and treatment services and programs for drug abuse and HIV/AIDS.
African Americans are also overrepresented in the criminal justice system. Research is needed to identify risk factors and pathways between drug abuse and criminal justice involvement, and their relationship to HIV/AIDS. Research is also needed to understand how to effectively integrate HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment services in the criminal justice system. Research suggests that drug use and addiction and the related consequences may be a serious and growing problem in rural areas. Our knowledge base on drug abuse and addiction in rural areas is limited due to issues such as confidentiality, access to services, and a limited cadre of researchers and health care providers in rural areas.
Dionne J. Jones, Ph.D.
Services Research Branch
Division of Epidemiology, Services & Prevention Research
National Institute on Drug Abuse
6001 Executive Boulevard, Room 5185, MSC 9589
Bethesda, MD 20892
Phone: 301-402-1984
Fax: 301-443-6815
E-mail: djones1@nida.nih.gov
National Institute on Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)
The NICHD has an interest in research on the causes of, and means of addressing, disparities in health, disability, and developmental outcomes from the pre-conception period into adulthood. This includes:
- Research on disparities in the health of pregnant women, pregnancy outcomes, and infant and maternal mortality and morbidity;
- Research on disparities in children’s health, including diabetes, obesity, injury, developmental disabilities, and the early antecedents of adult chronic disease;
- Research on disparities in child development, including cognitive, affective, and social development and school readiness from birth through adolescence;
- Research on disparities in health-related behaviors, including aggression, substance use, and self-injurious behaviors in childhood and adolescence and sexual behaviors from early adolescence through the reproductive years;
- Research on reproductive health throughout the reproductive years, including disparities in reproductive/sexual function, ability to avoid unwanted pregnancy, infertility, infertility treatment, and sexually transmitted diseases (including HIV).
- Research on disparities in disability, the rehabilitation of disabled persons, and the ability of individuals and families to overcome the burden of disability in their lives.
NICHD invites both basic and applied/intervention research applications in response to the Funding Opportunities Announcement (FOA). Although applications addressing the goals of the FOA in relation to any of the broad topics listed above are of interest to NICHD, the Institute particularly encourages applicants to consider:
- Designing studies that address the cumulative impact of social environmental, economic, and behavioral factors on health disparities intergenerationally and over the course of human development;
- Addressing the interrelationships and pathways that link environmental processes at multiple levels (institutions, communities and neighborhoods, families, social networks) to behavioral, psychological, and biological factors in health disparities;
- Relating health disparities to features of individuals and their environments that are not explicitly health related, such as housing and zoning policies, poverty, discrimination, and literacy;
- Addressing how population processes (e.g., low fertility, population distribution, and immigration) affect both health disparities and mechanisms for addressing health disparities, and/or
- Including mechanisms to identify and integrate the understandings and values of the populations under study in the design and conduct of the research, through community participatory action research or other methods.
Michael Spittel, Ph.D.
Health Science Administrator
Demographic and Behavioral Sciences Branch
National Institute of Child Health & Human Development
6100 Executive Boulevard, Rm. 8B07, MSC 7510
Bethesda, Maryland 20892-7510
Phone: 301 435-6983
Fax: 301 496-0962
E-mail: spittelm@mail.nih
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) will consider accepting applications relevant to the core mission of the NINDS that employ behavioral and social science theories, concepts and methods (1) to improve understanding of the causes of Health Disparities in neurological disorders among the various populations of the United States and (2) to develop and test more effective interventions for reducing and eventually eliminating these Health Disparities.
For the purposes of this announcement, Health Disparities is defined as “differences in the over-all rate of disease incidence, prevalence, morbidity, mortality, or survival rates as compared to the health status of the general population”. Although many different populations experience health disparities based on the above definition, the NINDS is interested in research directed at Health Disparities in neurological conditions and/or diseases among populations defined by socioeconomic status, race/ethnicity, and/or rural-urban residence. The overall goal and major selection criteria from the NINDS perspective is the development of projects that move beyond documenting the existence of Health Disparities in neurological disorders to addressing causes and solutions.
Condition and/or disease specific areas of interest to the NINDS include: Stroke, Epilepsy, Injury to the Developing Brain, the Neurological complications of Diabetes, Traumatic Brain Injury, and other neurological conditions that disproportionately affect minority groups as defined by this announcement. Submission of a letter of intent is highly suggested to ensure the relevancy and adherence to the NINDS mission, policy and procedures.
Relevant areas for which interventions might be developed include but are not limited to:
Medical care availability or accessibility; Level of health literacy; Economic resource availability; Social organizations such as churches with the community; Social Networks with the community; and Family or community traditions.
Questions and/or concerns should be directed to:
Richard T. Benson, MD/PhD
Program Director
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
Office of Minority Health and Research
6001 Executive Boulevard
Room 2153
Bethesda, Maryland 20892
Phone: (301) 496-2581
Fax: (301) 594-5929
E-mail: Bensonric@ninds.nih.gov
National Institute on Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS)
The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) supports basic, clinical, and epidemiologic research on diseases of joints, muscles, bones and skin. Most of these diseases are chronic and many cause life-long pain, disability, or disfigurement; they afflict millions of Americans; and cause tremendous human suffering. These diseases affect people of all ages, racial and ethnic populations, and economic groups -- almost every household in America is affected in some way by one or more of these diseases. Many of these diseases affect minorities disproportionately – both in increased numbers and increased severity of the diseases. The goal of NIAMS is to encourage and support research that will reduce for diseases that fall within our mission areas, health disparities among racial and ethnic minorities. Research needs in rheumatic, musculoskeletal, and skin diseases include:
• Studies of biological mechanisms of psychosocial or behavioral processes related to disease onset, progression, and outcomes; of genetic and environmental influences on behaviors relevant to health; and of neuroimmune and neuroendocrine pathways.
• Studies on non-pharmacological interventions and combined interventions, including development and testing of individual, group, and technology-based interventions to enhance self-management and improve health-related behaviors; research on tailoring interventions based on disease phenotype, individual psychological or social characteristics, and cultural/ethnic considerations; and educational and related interventions to enhance prevention.
• Development and testing of early interventions involving family members and addressing psychosocial issues.
• Studies to determine how to disseminate information effectively to target audiences and how to translate knowledge into behavioral change, including studies of factors that influence decisions about adopting and adhering to treatment and preventive interventions.
• Studies investigating variability in patient outcomes. Individuals differ tremendously in their response to clinical disease and symptoms. Reasons for this variability are not well understood and may include biological factors, behavioral differences, sex differences, ethnic background, family environment, previous trauma, education, or a combination of factors.
• Studies on management of chronic symptoms such as itch, fatigue, parethesias and pain, and of management outcomes. Develop and test more valid, reliable, efficient measurement instruments and methodology to measure symptoms and health-related quality of life variables important to patients.
Madeline Turkeltaub, CRNP, Ph.D.
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases
6701 Democracy Boulevard, Suite 800
Bethesda , MD 20892
Phone: (301) 594-2463
FAX: (301) 480-4543
E-mail: mturkeltaub@mail.nih.gov
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
The mission of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is to promote health and quality of life by preventing and controlling disease, injury, and disability. The research sponsored and conducted by the Agency develops and enhances scientific evidence regarding all aspects of public health. CDC is committed to achieving true improvements in people’s lives by accelerating health impact and reducing health disparities. To do this, the agency has defined specific health impact goals to prioritize and focus its work and investments and measure progress. Research applications must address one of these four overarching goals. Applicants are strongly encouraged to focus on topical areas unique to CDC, demonstrating how expected results can be used or made available for use to enhance public health and quality of life. CDC’s Health Protection Goals are:
- Healthy People in Every Stage of Life - All people, and especially those at greater risk of health disparities, will achieve their optimal lifespan with the best possible quality of health in every stage of life.
- Healthy People in Healthy Places – The places where people live, work, learn, and play will protect and promote their health and safety, especially those at greater risk of health disparities.
- People Prepared for Emerging Health Threats – People in all communities will be protected from infectious, occupational, environmental, and terrorist threats.
- Healthy People in a Healthy World - People around the world will live safer, healthier and longer lives through health promotion, health protection, and health diplomacy.
Through the formation of the Federal Collaboration for Health Disparities Research (FCHDR), CDC has engaged a wide range of federal partners (HHS agencies and non HHS department level agencies) to explore the complex nature of health disparities and the role research could play in accelerating positive impact on many of the long standing health disparities. The purpose of the FCHDR is to reach across agencies to identify the most important research needs, and opportunities, and establish a forum for collaboration that will help accelerate the elimination and prevention of health disparities. Within the context of the current Funding Opportunity Announcement, the CDC encourages grant applications oriented towards the development and/or evaluation of interventions to eliminate and prevent health disparities on the topics listed below.
Research Topics
The following are examples of specific topics of interest to CDC and the FCHDR. For the purposes of this Funding Opportunity Announcement, particular importance is given to public health research issues critical to some of the CDC priority populations, including: rural and urban populations; low-income and minority groups; and tribal populations,. Note that these research topics are examples only and applicants are not limited to addressing only these topics.
Built Environment: Examine the impacts of social and cultural practices with respect to the built environment and health disparities; Explore strategies for improving access and use of healthful food/nutrition sources in populations experiencing health disparities; Examine how the built environment may influence health disparities.
Obesity: Identify individual, societal, and environmental factors that may impact the effectiveness of interventions; Develop effective intervention approaches to reduce obesity in vulnerable and underserved population groups by addressing determinants and drivers of diet and physical activity behaviors; Describe the impact of policy (e.g., transportation, urban development, workplace) on nutrition and physical activity among populations disproportionately affected by being overweight and obese.
Culturally Appropriate Mental Health Care: Determine effective strategies for identifying, measuring, and reducing barriers to mental health care for disadvantaged or underserved populations; Evaluate a systems approach to implementing effective and sustainable mental health and substance abuse prevention and treatment interventions.
HIV/Hepatitis/STDs/TB: Develop effective sustainable risk-reduction interventions that meet the prevention needs of high-risk African Americans; Develop interventions to prevent and address Tuberculosis (TB) infection and disease, Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) and Viral Hepatitis among African Americans.
Community Approaches: Identify effective interventions using Community Based Participatory Research approaches to address health disparities in breast and cervical cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, immunizations, and infant mortality in African American, Hispanic and American Indian and Alaska Native communities.
Injury and Violence: Develop and evaluate interventions that reduce ethnic and racial disparities in suicidal behavior or interpersonal violence (e.g., youth violence, child maltreatment, intimate partner violence, or sexual violence) by modifying social determinants of risk; Tailor, implement, and evaluate community-based interventions with demonstrated effectiveness for preventing motor vehicle-related injuries among adolescent minority populations.
Juliana K. Cyril, PhD, MPH
Associate Director for Policy and Peer Review
Office of Public Health Research
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
1600 Clifton Road, MS D-72
Atlanta, GA 30333
Phone: 404-639-4639
Fax: 404-639-4903
E-mail: jcyril@cdc.gov
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) will support only research projects (R01) that test interventions, not observational studies. Projects may investigate interventions to reduce health disparities at the individual, community, health care provider, or policy levels, employing randomized designs. Outcome measures must be pre-specified and may include heart, lung, blood or sleep disorders, or intermediate outcomes that show evidence of having a causal relationship to the target of the intervention.
Examples of such studies include the following:
Studies that evaluate policy, environmental, and other strategies in community
settings, such as workplaces, schools, faith-based organizations and neighborhoods, to encourage and support lifestyle changes such as weight control, healthy diet, physical activity, and smoking cessation among minority, rural and low-income populations
Studies that use behavioral and social science theory and findings to develop and evaluate individual- or group-level interventions to reduce disparities in cardiovascular health, and translational research that addresses multiple co-morbidities and risk factors (e.g., poor diet and physical inactivity) among vulnerable groups.
Studies that develop and evaluate effectiveness of strategies to screen for and assure follow-up for risk factors (smoking, hypertension, dyslipidemia, obesity, and diabetes) in low SES, rural or minority populations.
Studies that develop strategies within the health care system to improve evidence-based care for prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of CVD events and risk factors across the lifespan, with special attention to high-risk and vulnerable populations.
Studies that develop and evaluate interventions influencing patient, provider, organizational, and/or health system behavior and performance, including information technology, in order to enhance quality of care and health outcomes for minority, low-SES and rural populations.
Charlotte Pratt, Ph.D.
Program Director
Division of Prevention and Population Sciences
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
6701 Rockledge Drive, Suite 10118, MSC 7936
Bethesda, MD 20892-7940
Phone: 301.435.0382
Fax: 301.480.1773
E-mail: prattc@nhlbi.nih.gov
National Institute on Aging (NIA)
The mission of the National Institute on Aging (NIA) includes supporting behavioral and social research on special problems and needs of older Americans. The NIA Behavioral and Social Research Program Areas of Emphasis include a special initiative on health disparities to reduce health disparities and eliminate health inequities among older adults and populations. Applicants applying through the Behavioral and Social Science Research on Understanding and Reducing Health Disparities FOA are encouraged to propose innovative applications employing behavioral and social science theories, concepts, and methods on the underlying causes of health disparities and interventions to eliminate them. Examples of topics of interest to NIA include but are not limited to:
- Cross-national comparisons with the U.S. to examine the impact of institutional/policy differences on health disparities.
- The causes of differences in late-life disability patterns across populations and interventions to reduce disability gaps.
- Consider factors in early life that lead to health disparities in later life including education, environment, wealth, etc. Further, examination of health disparities in high education and/or wealth segments of minority populations is encouraged.
- Studies of the causes of health disparities that favor minority populations such as the longevity advantage experienced among some Asian subgroups.
- Determine the affect of health systems and the geographic distribution of services on health differences so as to identify the most effective interventions to reduce disparities.
- Examine the impact of neighborhood and social networks on health disparities.
- Measure the burden of illness upon the nation by examining the differential impact of the system upon the health of diverse segments of the U.S. population.
Resources for applicants:
- Review of Minority Aging Research at the NIA Executive Summary: The 1999 review of Minority Aging Research includes expert recommendations for research including the elimination of health disparities (Recommendation 1). The recommendations can be viewed at http://www.nia.nih.gov/AboutNIA/MinorityAgingResearch.htm#recommendations.
- Resource Centers for Minority Aging Research (RCMAR): Website provides links to useful research resources for health disparities research (http://www.rcmar.ucla.edu/).
- NIA supported volumes from the National Research Council:
- National Research Council Panel on Race, Ethnicity, and Health in Later Life (2004), “Critical Perspectives on Racial and Ethnic Differences in Health in Late Life,” Norman B. Anderson, Randy A. Bulatao, and Barney Cohen, Editors, National Academies Press (http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=11086).
- National Research Council Panel on Race, Ethnicity, and Health in Later Life (2004), “Understanding Racial and Ethnic Differences in Health in Late Life: A Research Agenda,” Rodolfo A. Bulatao and Norman B. Anderson, Editors, National Academies Press (http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=11036).
- Murray, Christopher J. L., Sandeep C. Kulkarni, Catherine Michaud, Niels Tomijima, Maria T. Bulzacchelli, Terrell J. Iandiorio, and Majid Ezzati (2006), “Eight Americas: Investigating Mortality Disparities across Races, Counties, and Race-Counties in the United States,” PLoS Medicine (http://medicine.plosjournals.org/perlserv/?request=get-document&doi=10.1371/journal.pmed.0030260).
- The National Archive of Computerized Data on Aging (NACDA) Topical CD Collection: Through funding provided by NIA and ORMH, NACDA's topical CD focuses on disparities in the health and the lifecourse of minority populations. More than 30 data sets are contained on the Minority Aging and Health CD ( www.icpsr.umich.edu/NACDA/).
John W. R. Phillips, PhD
Health Scientist Administrator
National Institute on Aging
National Institutes of Health
7201 Wisconsin Avenue, Gateway 533
Bethesda, MD 20892
Phone: (301) 496-3138
Fax: (301) 402-0051
E-mail: PhillipJ@mail.nih.gov
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
The mission of the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) is to reduce the burden of mental and behavioral disorders through research on mind, brain, and behavior. The NIMH has a long history of action and concern to promote health and reduce health disparities in racial/ethnic populations and other underrepresented groups (i.e., women, children, disabled, economically disadvantaged) through its mental health and HIV/AIDS research agendas. The NIMH five-year Strategic Plan for addressing mental health disparities can be found at http://www.nimh.nih.gov/strategic/healthdisparities.pdf. The NIMH also leads the development of behavioral HIV preventive interventions; health disparities research targeting HIV/AIDS should be viewed in the context of the AIDS research programs (http://www.nimh.nih.gov/dahbr/9a-as.cfm). The Mental Health Disparities Team coordinates health disparities research across the institute. Examples of research areas of interest to NIMH divisions are:
The Division of AIDS and Health and Behavior Research:
· Research on social, cultural, and environmental influences on diagnosis and the diagnostic process, on help-seeking decisions/preferences, and the helping relationship;
· Research on the mechanisms through which social, cultural, interpersonal, and environmental factors affect disparities in the risk, course, and diagnosis of mental disorders;
· Disparities research among HIV-seropositive individuals to improve linkage/access to care; timely prescription of antiretroviral medications; and treatment of co-morbid conditions;
· Disparities research among those most vulnerable to HIV infection through increased access to HIV testing; improved community involvement in research; and developing/disseminating effective, culturally-competent prevention interventions.
The Division of Adult Translational Research and Treatment Development:
· Research on methods development in diverse underrepresented populations across the lifespan;
· Research on social and economic class disparities, culture, race and ethnicity, immigration and acculturation, neighborhoods and poverty as they relate to the development of mental disorders;
· Research on biomarkers or treatment response variables to help personalize treatments for diverse underrepresented groups;
· Research on culturally relevant and culturally responsive interventions tailored to specific underrepresented racial and ethnic populations and/or by gender, age or SES.
The Division of Services and Intervention Research:
· Studies to address the reduction of disparities in services using multilevel interventions;
· Use of community-based participatory research techniques to enhance the relevance of research questions and improve uptake of findings;
· Culturally appropriate evidence-based practices to reduce and/or eliminate disparities;
· Studies to address the utilization of telemedicine technologies to improve access to effective treatments by underserved populations, such as rural and frontier populations.
The Division of Pediatric Translational Research and Treatment Development:
· Development of appropriate measures, assessments, and methodologies for neurodevelopment, behavior, and mental health research on diverse underrepresented pediatric populations;
· Studies of risk and protective factors and mechanisms in underrepresented racial and ethnic children to predict outcomes, and suggest mechanisms and malleable processes for intervention targets;
· Clinical trials incorporating the unique needs of cultural, ethnic, and linguistic underrepresented children/adolescents to determine biological/environmental processes that underlie long-term effects of medications/ treatment for mental disorders (e.g., pharmacogenetics, efficacious treatments);
· Development of novel culturally relevant/ responsive interventions tailored to underrepresented racial and ethnic groups of children and adolescents, and translation/dissemination of research findings.
The Division of Neuroscience and Basic Behavioral Research is interested in research that improves understanding of biological and genetic contributory factors that impact frequency, severity and treatment outcomes of mental disorders among the various underrepresented populations of the United States.
Office for Special Populations:
Robert A. Mays, Jr., Ph.D., MSW
Acting Chief, Mental Health Disparities Research Program
Office for Special Populations
National Institute of Mental Health
6001 Executive Boulevard, Room 8125, MSC 9659
Bethesda, MD 20892-9659
Phone: (301) 443-2847
Fax: (301) 443-8552
E-mail: Rmays@mail.nih.gov
Division of AIDS and Health Behavior Research:
AIDS: David M. Stoff, Ph.D.
Program Chief for HIV/AIDS Research Training; Health Disparities;
and HIV/AIDS Neuropsychiatry Research Programs
Center for Mental Health Research on AIDS
Division of AIDS and Health and Behavior Research
National Institute of Mental Health
6001 Executive Boulevard, Room 6210, MSC 9619
Bethesda, MD 20892-9619
Phone: (301) 443-4625
Fax: (301) 443-9719
E-mail: dstoff@nih.gov
Non-AIDS: Emeline Otey, Ph.D.
Program Chief, Stigma and Health Disparities Program
Division of AIDS and Health and Behavior Research
National Institute of Mental Health
6001 Executive Boulevard, Room 6227, MSC 9619
Bethesda, MD 20892-9619
Phone: (301) 443-9284
Fax: (301) 480-2920
E-mail: eotey@mail.nih.gov
Division of Adult Translational Research and Treatment Development:
Jovier D. Evans, Ph.D.
Program Officer
Geriatric Pharmacologic Intervention and Geriatric Translational Neuroscience Programs
Geriatrics Research Branch
National Institute of Mental Health
6001 Executive Boulevard Room 7218 MSC 9634
Bethesda, MD 20892-9634
Phone: (301) 443-6328
Fax: (301) 443-1424
E-mail: jevans1@mail.nih.gov
Division of Neuroscience and Basic Behavioral Science:
Thomas Lehner Ph.D., M.P.H
Chief, Genomics Research Branch
Associate Director
Division of Neuroscience and Basic Behavioral Science
National Institute of Mental Health
National Institutes of Health
6001 Executive Blvd., Room 7190, MSC 9643
Bethesda, MD 20892-9643
Phone: (301) 443-9869
Fax: (301) 402-4740
E-mail: tlehner@mail.nih.gov
Division of Pediatric Translational Research and Treatment Development:
LeShawndra N. Price, Ph.D.
Chief, Disruptive Behavior Program
Chief, Stress & Trauma Program
Psychosocial Stress & Related Disorders Branch
Division of Pediatric Translational Research & Treatment Development
National Institute of Mental Health
6001 Executive Blvd., Rm. 6200, MSC 9617
Bethesda, MD 20892-9617
Phone: (301) 443-1617
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