# Center for Rural Health and Economic Disparities Research

> **NIH NIH U54** · TUSKEGEE UNIVERSITY · 2020 · $180,323

## Abstract

Abstract/Summary: Specific Aims
 The Tuskegee RCMI Community Engagement Core is developing a national standard
for how to apply high impact research to socially isolated and economically disadvantaged
communities. These communities include rural areas in the Black Belt. Over the last three
years, the CEC in union with its partners, has developed strong rapport in local Black Belt
communities. We are using what we learned from resident engagement to develop a model for
empowering rural residents to achieve optimal wellbeing.
 Given our growing partnerships with community organizations throughout the Black Belt,
the CEC is uniquely positioned to redouble our effectiveness by expanding the scope of the
services we provide. Through this proposal, we seek to establish the infrastructure for
developing a research and training center that empowers rural Black Belt communities while
levering community alliances to enhance health outcomes. The mission and purpose of the
center is to create sustainable mechanisms for helping Black Belt residents master their
health, social, and economic destiny. Our core value is to champion ethical research, self-
determination, collective and individual empowerment.
 • Specific Aim 1: Establish a foundation for the Tuskegee University Rural Health and
 Economic Disparities Research Center. The center will be composed of a multisectoral
 team of relevant experts.
 • Specific Aim 2: Establish the Black Belt Digital Network (BBDN) to manage the
 dissemination of scientific findings to residents across the Alabama Black Belt.
 • Specific Aim 3: Unite faculty expertise to develop and implement a multilayered GIS
 map application of the Alabama Black Belt.
This project will expand upon what we have learned to develop an information delivery network
between the Center and rural residents, many of whom do not have access to broadband.
Through the distribution of faculty research and built environment data, we will provide rural
residents with the tools to overcome barriers to health enhancing information. We have
established partnerships with community residents who will assume a fundamental role in
executing project aims including a community-based Project Assistant. Residents will also
produce town halls and provide built environment information for the BBDN.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10195100
- **Project number:** 3U54MD007585-29S1
- **Recipient organization:** TUSKEGEE UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Clayton Yates
- **Activity code:** U54 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $180,323
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 1997-07-07 → 2022-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10195100

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10195100, Center for Rural Health and Economic Disparities Research (3U54MD007585-29S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10195100. Licensed CC0.

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