Building the evidence for a new health promotion intervention research paradigm

While greater access to traditional health care services is important for underserved groups, the Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Research In Underserved Populations (CHPR) was established in 1999 to support the development of community-based health promotion and disease prevention intervention research to improve the health of underserved groups. Health promotion interventions will not only contribute to positive health outcomes, but may also decrease the need for traditional services among persons who have limited access to care. Between 1999 and 2006 CHPR funded 32 pilot investigators whose studies have included more than 1,600 participants from a wide variety of underserved populations. The CHPR has provided mentoring and training through workshops, conferences, fellowships and summer research institutes to more than 80 investigators from 17 institutions (including 8 minority-serving institutions) representing 11 different disciplines. Dissemination of findings from these innovative research programs has included traditional research conferences for researchers, clinicians and community agencies, a health promotion collaboratory for researchers and publication of supplements to an interdisciplinary journal focusing on promoting health among selected underserved populations (persons with chronic and disabling conditions, women and adolescents). The CHPR efforts are resulting in a much-needed body of evidence that can be used by clinicians and policy makers to guide efforts to improve the health of underserved populations.