Caribbean Exploratory Research Center: A Model for Addressing Health Disparities

Abstract

Background: Since 2004, the Division of Nursing, University of the Virgin Islands (UVI), US Virgin Islands (USVI) has been funded by NCMHD/NIH for the Caribbean Exploratory Research Center of Excellence (CERC) on Health Disparities. The population of the USVI is 76% black (African American, African Caribbean), 13% white, and 14% Hispanic. There is a dearth of research on the unique intersections of island history, context, culture, demographics, and other determinants of Island health disparities.Purpose: The long term objective of the CERC is to contribute to the elimination of USVI health disparities. Specific aims of the CERC: 1) provide structure, coordination and resources; 2) support multidisciplinary, community based participatory health disparities research; 3) strengthen research expertise of members of UVI faculty, students, and community partners, and 4) enable evaluation of interventions to improve health of Virgin Islanders.Methodology: and Findings: The CERC collaborative model has four Cores, each Co-chaired by a UVI nursing faculty member and a senior professor from a mainland research intensive university The multidisciplinary Advisory Committee consists of senior research faculty, UVI faculty, health care providers, and community representatives. The Center has supported research on breast cancer, diabetes, women's health status, and women and HIV, with studies on intimate partner violence, cervical cancer, and HPV and men's health concerns in progress. Each involves a junior researcher from the UVI and a senior researcher from the mainland Preliminary findings have been presented locally, nationally, and in publications. Undergraduate nursing students are research assistants, gaining an understanding of the research process and their role as potential nurse researchers. The broader community actively assists the CERC to identify research and activities culturally relevant for addressing health disparities in the USVI.Summary and Concluding Statement: The CERC is a valuable resource in a region underrepresented in health disparities research, education and policy. Background: Since 2004, the Division of Nursing, University of the Virgin Islands (UVI), US Virgin Islands (USVI) has been funded by NCMHD/NIH for the Caribbean Exploratory Research Center of Excellence (CERC) on Health Disparities. The population of the USVI is 76% black (African American, African Caribbean), 13% white, and 14% Hispanic. There is a dearth of research on the unique intersections of island history, context, culture, demographics, and other determinants of Island health disparities. Purpose: The long term objective of the CERC is to contribute to the elimination of USVI health disparities. Specific aims of the CERC: 1) provide structure, coordination and resources; 2) support multidisciplinary, community based participatory health disparities research; 3) strengthen research expertise of members of UVI faculty, students, and community partners, and 4) enable evaluation of interventions to improve health of Virgin Islanders. Methodology: and Findings: The CERC collaborative model has four Cores, each Co-chaired by a UVI nursing faculty member and a senior professor from a mainland research intensive university The multidisciplinary Advisory Committee consists of senior research faculty, UVI faculty, health care providers, and community representatives. The Center has supported research on breast cancer, diabetes, women's health status, and women and HIV, with studies on intimate partner violence, cervical cancer, and HPV and men's health concerns in progress. Each involves a junior researcher from the UVI and a senior researcher from the mainland Preliminary findings have been presented locally, nationally, and in publications. Undergraduate nursing students are research assistants, gaining an understanding of the research process and their role as potential nurse researchers. The broader community actively assists the CERC to identify research and activities culturally relevant for addressing health disparities in the USVI. Summary and Concluding Statement: The CERC is a valuable resource in a region underrepresented in health disparities research, education and policy.