Panel Session: Perspectives

on EXPORT Centers

(moderated by Bruce Behringer, MPH)
 

  Health disparities in minority and rural populations are a national  concern. The entire conference focuses on the reduction of health disparities in Native Americans, African Americans, Latinos, and all rural populations.

Translational research is recognized as critical to the reduction of health disparities. Papers presented at this conference represent   translational research with the specified populations.

University-community partnerships are an effective mechanism for reducing health disparities. This conference offers a unique opportunity for researchers and community members to network.

A Research Project, with the intent of creating Centers of Excellence in Partnerships for Community Outreach, Research on Health Disparities and Training (Project EXPORT), was developed by the National Center for Minority Health and Health Disparities. Awards support health disparities research, with over 60 institutions receiving funds to either begin developing health disparities centers, or a planning grant. The program aims to build research capacity at designated institutions enrolling a significant number of students from health disparity populations and to promote participation and training in biomedical and behavioral research among health disparity populations.

Representatives from four EXPORT Centers, which focus in the conference areas of health disparities among Native American, African American, Latino, and rural populations, come together in a closing panel discussion to share their successes, challenges, and the stories of their unique research centers.

• Joellen Edwards, PhD, RN
      Principal Investigator: Appalachian Center for
     Translational Research in Disparities
     (East Tennessee State University)
   

• June E. Eichner, PhD
      Research Project Principal Investigator: 
      Oklahoma Native American EXPORT Center
      (Oklahoma University)
   

• Saundra Glover, PhD, MBA
      Principal Investigator: USC-Claflin Center of
    Excellence for the Elimination of Health
    Disparities in Cancer and HIV
    (University of South Carolina & Claflin
    University)
   

• Susan Navarro, BS
      Project Director: Hispanic Health Disparities
     Research Center
     (University of Texas El Paso)