Health Disparities Research

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NINDS Office of Global Health & Health Disparities: Health Disparities Research

The NINDS is committed to reducing the disproportionate burden of neurological disease borne by underserved groups of society, including racial and ethnic minority, rural, and socioeconomically disadvantaged populations, by funding a spectrum of research from basic science through clinical studies and training the next generation of health disparities investigators.

Health disparities populations are in need of effective tailored prevention and treatment approaches. Poorer health outcomes in these populations when compared to the general US population have a dramatic impact on public health and are a significant cost to society. Supporting research to diminish health disparities in neurological disorders is inherent in the NINDS mission to reduce the burden of neurological disease, a burden borne by every segment of society. (see NINDS Office of Global Health and Health Disparities)

NINDS Strategic Plan and Recommendations for Advancing Health Equity in Neurological Disorders

NINDS Health Equity Strategic Plan will guide research investments and provide actionable recommendations to address health disparities and promote health equity in neurological disorders over the next 5 -10 years. 

View the Health Equity Strategic Plan High-Level Recommendations and Guide


NINDS HERN Initiative

Check out the NINDS Community-Engaged Health Equity Research in Neuroscience Initiative (HERN) website for additional info and related funding opportunities.

Health Disparities and Stroke

Stroke continues to be a major focus of NINDS health disparities research efforts, as it remains one of the largest and most burdensome disparities in neurological health with substantial opportunities for improving outcomes. NINDS supports research to better understand stroke disparities and to inform the development of effective interventions in specific population groups who suffer a disproportionately higher burden of stroke.

Current NINDS-supported stroke disparities research highlights:

 

Proceedings & Outcomes

Inclusion Research

Findings from clinical trials are applied broadly in clinical practice and inform treatment guidelines that affect the clinical care of the general population.  To ensure that new preventive, diagnostic, and treatment approaches are safe and effective for diverse subgroups represented in the population, the studies must enroll sufficient numbers of minority subjects.  The NINDS helps its grantees adhere to the NIH policy for Inclusion of Women and Minorities in Clinical Research through several activities designed to facilitate investigators' efforts to meet enrollment targets.  In addition to the activities described below, a clinical trials recruitment expert in the NINDS Office of Clinical Research works directly with the grantees and program directors on issues related to recruitment and retention.

Clinical Research United in Successful Enrollment (CRUiSE)

NINDS co-sponsored an NHLBI workshop to address successful recruitment in clinical trials. Three key areas were addressed: 1) public and professional awareness and acceptance of clinical trials; 2) human subject research policies, guidelines, and reimbursement; and 3) clinical trial enrollment experience and practice.  A significant portion of the conference addressed the barriers and solutions to improve the inclusion of minorities in clinical trials.  Seventy-five participants, including invited speakers representing clinical researchers, private advocacy groups, industry, and federal sponsors and regulatory agencies, attended.

 

Inclusion Research funded by NINDS

The NINDS is supporting the Northern Manhattan Initiative for Minority Involvement in Clinical Trials (U24; PI: Bernadette Boden-Albala).  This project will develop and evaluate a toolkit of "Best Practices" for the conduct of successful recruitment of racial and ethnic minorities in neurological clinical trials.

 

Resources and Tools

Contacts

Richard T. Benson, M.D., Ph.D. | Director, Office of Global Health and Health Disparities
richard.benson@nih.gov

Cheryse A. Sankar, Ph.D. | Program Director, Health Disparities
cheryse.sankar@nih.gov

Naomi E. Booker, M.P.H. | Health Program Specialist
naomi.booker@nih.gov

Katie Reichard, Ph.D. | AAAS S&T Policy Fellow

kathryn.reichard@nih.gov

 

Funding Opportunities 

OGHHD Funding Opportunities

NOFOs Highlight

 

News & Events

  • NASEM Report Release: Advancing Anti-Racism, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in STEM Organizations: A Consensus Study |View Report

 

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Related Topics 


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REGARDS (REasons for Geographic And Racial Differences in Stroke)
REGARDS is a large cohort study evaluating the causes of racial and geographic differences in stroke mortality and cognitive decline in the United States.

The Northern Manhattan Study (NOMAS)
NOMAS is a prospective population-based study of stroke incidence, risk factors, and prognosis in a multiethnic, urban population.

Stroke Warning Information and Faster Treatment (SWIFT)
The Columbia University's SWIFT (Stroke Warning information and Faster Treatment) study identifies actions/barriers toward optimal "Stroke Preparedness" within a multiethnic community.

Brain Attack Surveillance in Corpus Christi (BASIC)
The BASIC project is a population-based study that examines the magnitude and etiologies of the stroke health disparity between Mexican Americans and non Hispanic whites.

Stroke Health And Risk Education (SHARE)
The SHARE study is a behavior change, educational intervention study aimed at primary stroke prevention for Mexican Americans and non Hispanic whites in Corpus Christi, Texas. SHARE is a partnership between University of Michigan researchers and the Diocese of Corpus Christi.

Hip Hop Stroke
Hip Hop Stroke is a musical multimedia stroke literacy intervention designed to raise stroke awareness and behavioral intent to call 911 for acute stroke.