Health Disparities
Meharry Medical College conducts research and other scholarly activities designed to identify, understand and eliminate factors responsible for the profoundly disproportionate burden of AIDS and HIV infection among minority populations in the United States. The medical field has made some advances in the overall health of the nation in the past three decades. However, in spite of these advances, striking disparities remain in the rates of diseases that affect the livelihood and health of racial and ethnic minorities. These disparities are inequalities that occur in the provision of health care and access to health care across different racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic groups. They affect a vast group of people that Meharry is honored to serve and enact the notion of “health caring.”
Past Performance
Research accomplishments within the school have been funded by federal agencies such as the Health Resources & Services Administration, the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities, the National Institute of General Medical Sciences, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services, the Centers for Disease Control, the Metropolitan Development and Housing Agency, the National Institute of Justice, the Department of Education, the National Center Minority Health/ Health Disparities, and the National Institute of Allergy/Infectious Diseases.
Specialized Centers
The Center for AIDS Health Disparities Research
Meharry Medical College conducts research and other scholarly activities designed to identify, understand, and eliminate factors responsible for the profoundly disproportionate burden of AIDS and HIV infection among minority populations in the United States. The Center is reducing the burden of AIDS in local minority communities through basic, clinical, and translational research.
The Center for Women’s Health Research
Meharry Medical College is one of the nation’s first research centers devoted exclusively to understanding why women of color are at greater risk of certain diseases and how biology, race, and economics contribute to women’s health disparities. The Center is currently involved in research looking at the role of genetics in medication effectiveness for pain and depression, and how genetic testing can help reduce the burden of hypertension and kidney disease influences in the lives of women of color. The Center is also conducting studies for cancer screening in this population for early detection and treatment.
Community Networks Program
Established in 2005 to reduce cancer health disparities, the Community Networks Program engages in community-based participatory education, training and research among underserved populations.
