August 17, 2009
School of Nursing Cardiovascular Health Center to address vulnerable populations
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, the Research Center for Cardiovascular Health in Vulnerable Populations is located at the School of Nursing and is directed by Miyong Kim, a professor in Nursing Systems and Outcomes.
“A key component to the success of this center is collaboration with both academic and community entities,” Kim said. “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 support the education, training and mentoring of new investigators; provide administrative and mentoring 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,” Kim said. “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.”
With expertise in cross-cultural research, comparative epidemiology and program evaluation, Kim utilizes community-based participatory research to reduce health disparities among traditionally underserved ethnic minority populations.
Joining Kim as co-directors of the center are Dean Martha N. Hill, Jerilyn Allen, Deborah Gross, Cheryl Dennison and Haera Han.