The overall theme for the proposed exploratory National Center for Minority Health and Disparities Researchin Arkansas (NCMHDA) is to develop research to improve access to quality prevention and health careprograms for racial and ethnic minorities with a goal of reducing health disparities. The proposed Center willfocus on chronic disease disparities with an initial emphasis on cardiovascular disease (CVD), diabetes,obesity, and cancer. Arkansas consistently ranks among the worst in the nation in health indicators,particularly for CVD and cancer morbidity and mortality. Already large disparities continue to increase.Arkansas has the fastest growing Latino population in the country and the largest Marshallese communityoutside of the Marshall Islands, in addition to a substantial African-American population. The proposedAdministrative Core for this Exploratory NCMHDA will be composed of the Director's Office and a SteeringCommittee, each with its own functions and responsibilities to collectively facilitate and support the Center.The Director's Office will be responsible for fiscal and administrative management of the Center andimplementation of Center-wide policies. The Steering Committee will be responsible for evaluating theprogress of the Center and its activities, setting research priorities and policies, and determining researchinfrastructure needs of the Center. In addition to the Administrative Core, the Center will support: a ResearchCore, including a Full Research Project and six initial Pilot Projects; and an Education/Training Core todevelop a combined BA/MPH program with Arkansas' three HBCUs. The Administrative Core willalsowork with two advisory committees - one National and one Local. A NAC has been recruited to: 1) evaluatethe progress and accomplishments of the NCMHDA; 2) provide feedback about evidence-based priorities forfuture research projects developed through analyses of statewide data in the DOH's Center for Public HealthPractice; and 3) review and provide feedback about the Center's educational programs supported by theproposed Education/Training Core. The'NAG will also serve as the Data Safety and Monitoring Board(DSMB) for both the Full and Pilot Research Projects. The Local Advisory Board will provide local insightinto the focus of the research projects, inform investigators about local assets, and provide oversight of theacceptability of proposed projects and center priorities in general. The LAC will also assist in disseminatinginformation about the Center's activities to key agencies, agency leaders, and lay leaders.
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