Posted: 8/13/2009
A new Johns Hopkins nursing research center will work to significantly reduce cardiovascular health disparities through community engagement, scientific investigation, education, and policy initiatives. Funded through a four-year, $1.9 million grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Research Center for Cardiovascular Health in Vulnerable Populations is located at the Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing (JHUSON) and directed by Professor Miyong Kim, PhD, RN, FAAN.
According to Kim, “a key component to the success of this center is collaboration with both academic and community entities. These partnerships will form a dynamic research infrastructure that meets the health needs of our local communities and the research demands of cardiovascular health scholars.”
In addition to its focus on community engagement, the Center will also support the education, training, and mentoring of new investigators; provide administrative and mentoring services and support to all Center investigators; and disseminate findings, data, and resources. The aim is to provide state-of-the-art technology-assisted interventions, integrated training and career development activities, broad dissemination and implementation of research findings, and targeted health policy initiatives.
“We envision that the Center will serve as a catalyst for advancing cardiovascular health promotion intervention and translational science,” notes Kim. “By supporting research to develop, test, and disseminate innovative interventions for improving cardiovascular health in underserved and understudied populations, we’re working to reduce the currently growing health disparity gaps.”
Kim, an exceptional translational researcher, utilizes community-based participatory research to reduce health disparities among traditionally underserved ethnic minority populations. Her work focuses on the key areas of hypertension and diabetes control, cancer prevention, and mental health. In all of her investigations, Dr. Kim employs her expertise in cross-cultural research, comparative epidemiology and program evaluation.
Five additional JHUSON research faculty join Kim in the Center’s work as co-directors: Dean Martha N. Hill, PhD, RN, FAAN; Jerilyn Allen, ScD, RN, FAAN; Deborah Gross, DNSc, RN, FAAN; Cheryl Dennison, PhD, RN, ANP; and Haera Han, PhD, RN.