Project Lead: Matha Carvour
Funding Approved: Fiscal Year 22
Project Status: In Progress
Funded amount: $759,000 over three years
The Equity in Health Science and Practice project is focused on conducting health equity research and translating research findings into community-based interventions.
The first years of the project laid the foundation for the initiative to have a significant positive impact on the health of communities across the state of Iowa.
Activities to date:
- Engaged undergraduate, graduate, and professional student leaders in educational activities related to health promotion, community engagement, professional development, and research/scholarship.
- More than a dozen students across three UI colleges in FY 2022
- More than a dozen students across four UI colleges in FY 2023
- Collaborated with 17 community-based organizations to implement 2 health fairs at a Tyson Turkey Plant and St. Mark Lutheran Church in Storm Lake
- Developed and launched a project designed to build a community health worker (CHW) program in Storm Lake, with 6 personnel now operating in CHW-type roles in Storm Lake/Buena Vista County in response to health needs (particularly related to diabetes and long COVID)
- Drafted several manuscripts using data from E-HSP research projects
- Research was featured at a national poster presentation to the Association of Clinical and Translational Science
- Launched research survey study about COVID-19 experiences among frontline workers in Iowa
- Continued development and submissions of grant proposals, including a R01 proposal about health equity for long COVID
- Established a statewide community advisory board to provide input on programmatic activities and research studies
- Hosted community-based health event in Storm Lake
Next steps:
In year three, the project will continue its research and engagement activities, including collaborating with faculty, staff, and local leaders to host an additional community-based health event in Iowa. The project also will continue to publish research findings, prepare and submit grant proposals, and further develop on-campus and community-based infrastructure for future health equity research.
In the News
Advancing health equity across the state
University of Iowa students, researchers, and community partners have come together to advance health equity across the state through the Equity in Health Science Practice Program. A three-year grant from the University of Iowa Strategic Initiatives Fund is helping to uplift communities struggling with healthcare access.