# Center for Latino Health Research Opportunities CLaRO

> **NIH NIH U54** · UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI CORAL GABLES · 2022 · $910,000

## Abstract

ABSTRACT
This application proposes an administrative supplement for one additional year of continuity of our NIMHD Center
for Excellence, the Center for Latino Health Research Opportunities, CLaRO. CLaRO is an interdisciplinary
center, led by MPIs, Dr. Victoria Behar-Zusman, at the University of Miami (UM) and Dr. Mario De La Rosa at
Florida International University (FIU). CLaRO’s unifying theme is to conduct and promote multi-level community-
based participatory research to prevent SAVA syndemic conditions (substance abuse, violence/trauma and
HIV/AIDS) and reduce their adverse health and mental health consequences in vulnerable Latino groups. In the
past 5 years, we have solidified our cross-institutional collaboration between two NIMHD COEs—El Centro (P60,
UM) and CRUSADA (P20, FIU) to advance the science of health disparities, launch the careers of a new cadre
of health disparities researchers, and strengthen community-scientific bridges through high quality, community
engaged research, collaboration, and mentorship. Through this supplement, we will be able to maintain the vital
research infrastructure of CLaRO and continue, without diminution of intensity, work aligned with our original
Specific Aims. Our Administrative Core will continue to provide leadership and oversight for all CLaRO activities,
grow our Measures Library, and support statistical analyses, publications and proposals. Our two behavioral
intervention studies, Research Project 1, HoMBRES de Familia, and Research Project 2, CA CIFFTA (Aim 2)
will be supported for completing their analysis and dissemination aims. The Investigator Development Core will
continue a highly successful program for advancing the research careers and mentorship capacity of early-stage
investigators, most of whom are from minorities underrepresented in the scientific workforce (Aim 3). The
Community Engagement and Dissemination Core will complete activities recommended by CLaRO’s Community
Scientific Advisory Board to address SAVA conditions exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic (Aim 4). Our
studies have highlighted how social and structural factors can work synergistically to create unique patterns of
disparity for Latinos and in turn, influence the health conditions of vulnerable Latino populations. Our tailored
interventions have capitalized on the strengths of the Latino community in South Florida, and our equitable
partnership with the community has facilitated the development and dissemination of evidence-based substance
abuse and HIV/AIDS prevention strategies targeting Latinos across the lifespan. With this supplement, CLaRO
will continue to provide resources to advance health disparities science and theory that will exert a sustained,
powerful impact on research, investigator development and community capacity for the reduction and eventual
elimination of SAVA related health disparities among Latinos.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10597459
- **Project number:** 3U54MD002266-15S2
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI CORAL GABLES
- **Principal Investigator:** Victoria Behar-Zusman
- **Activity code:** U54 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $910,000
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2007-09-10 → 2024-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10597459

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10597459, Center for Latino Health Research Opportunities CLaRO (3U54MD002266-15S2). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-27 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10597459. Licensed CC0.

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