At the heart of our mission lies a commitment to addressing health disparities through community-engaged, equity-focused research. Our initiatives target three key areas—HIV & infectious diseases, chronic illnesses including cancer, and mental health and aging—each of which disproportionately affects marginalized and underserved populations.

​

1. HIV and Infectious Diseases Initiative

​

Despite remarkable advances in treatment and prevention, HIV and other infectious diseases continue to disproportionately impact black population, marginalized communities and people from low- and middle-income countries.

Our work aims to bridge these gaps by:

​

• Community-Based Surveillance and Screening:
  Conducting regular, accessible health screenings to identify new infections early.
   

• Prevention and Education Campaigns:
  Promoting awareness about HIV prevention methods like PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis), PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis) and harm reduction strategies.
   

• Treatment Adherence Support:
  Researching strategies that help patients stay on antiretroviral ART treatment (ART) including peer navigator programs and telehealth follow-up.
   

• Stigma Reduction:
  Studying the impact of stigma on care-seeking behaviors and developing interventions to build trust within communities.
   

Current Projects:

• East African HIV study

• Mobile HIV Testing and Counseling Units Pilot study

• Immigrant and Refugee Community HIV Outreach Study

• HIV and Stigma community based qualitative research

• COVID-19 and Long-Term Infectious Disease Burden Research
   

2. Cancer and Chronic Diseases Initiative

​

Chronic diseases, including cancer, heart disease, and diabetes, remain the leading causes of death and disability. We are committed to prevention, early detection, and closing the equity gap using population data driven strategies.

​

Our focus areas include:

​

• Cancer Prevention and Early Detection:
  Expanding access to lifesaving screenings for breast, cervical, prostate, and colorectal cancers.
   

• Chronic Disease Self-Management Research:
  Supporting patients in managing conditions such as hypertension and diabetes through culturally tailored education programs.
   

• Environmental Health Studies:
  Investigating the impact of environmental exposures, such as pollutants, on cancer and chronic disease risks in underserved communities.
   

• Genetic Risk and Family History Education:
  Promoting understanding of hereditary cancer risks through outreach and free genetic counseling workshops.
   

Current Projects:

​

• East African diabetes research Initiative

• East African cancer research Initiative

• Gastrointestinal risk and prevalence study

• Hypertension diabetes Management Through Community case managers Project
  
   

3. Mental Health and Aging Diseases Initiative

​

Mental health remains a prominent public health concern, particularly as urban lifestyle expands, and our aging population grows constantly. Older adults often face a double burden: living with both physical illnesses and untreated mental health conditions.

​

Our initiative focuses on:

​

• Dementia and Alzheimer's Disease Research:
  Investigating early warning signs, interventions, and caregiver support systems, especially in diverse aging populations.
   

• Depression and Anxiety in Older Adults:
  Studying effective, accessible interventions including teletherapy, mindfulness programs, and peer support models.
   

• Integrated Behavioral Health Services:
  Embedding mental health screenings and services into primary care and senior services settings.
   

• Caregiver Support Studies:
  Evaluating the needs of family caregivers and testing community-based respite and education programs.
   

Current Projects:

​

• Mindful Aging community initiative

• Community-Based Cognitive Health Screening Pilot

• Culturally Competent Depression Management for Older Adults Study

• Aging with HIV: Mental Health Needs Assessment
   

Our Approach

​

• Community-Driven:
  We engage directly with residents, community organizations, and local leaders to ensure research reflects real-world needs.
   

• Equity-Focused:
  All our projects intentionally prioritize communities historically marginalized or underserved by traditional healthcare systems.
   

• Data to Action:
  Research findings are translated into practical recommendations for healthcare providers, policymakers, and community health workers.
   

• Collaboration Across Sectors:
  We partner with universities, healthcare providers, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations to maximize our impact.