Mentoring in community influences on CVD risk

This project focuses on both research and on mentoring newer researchers to enhance their research capacity in cardiovascular disease prevention and health disparities research. The focus is 1) To extend Dr. Corbie-Smith’s work in engaging communities of color in research by developing interventions to prevent cardiovascular disease that address patients in the context of their communities; 2) To understand the influence of community factors in underserved communities and their impact on healthcare utilization and health outcomes in cardiovascular disease and cardiovascular risk factors; and 3) To provide outstanding mentorship by creating a training environment that supports the conduct of high impact research in cardiovascular prevention and outcomes. The specific aims for the new research include: 1) Determine the feasibility of training a current cohort of community health advisors as navigators to link residents with multiple cardiovascular risk factors to local healthcare systems. 2) Determine the impact of health navigators on cardiovascular risk factor control (HgbA1C, physical activity, BP control, smoking) and access to care for community members at increased risk for cardiovascular disease. 3) Identify community and social factors that influence cardiovascular risk factor control and outcomes. This two-arm trial will investigate the role of navigators on cardiovascular outcomes in community based outreach programs to improve access and utilization of medical services.

Principal Investigator: Giselle Corbie-Smith, M.D., M.Sc.

Primary Funding Source: National Heart Lung and Blood Institute

Total Project Period: 09/20/2010 – 07/31/2015