PROJECT SUMMARY Despite significant efforts to reduce the burden of chronic physical and mental illness through treatment advances and improved access to quality health care, health inequalities persist. Achieving better health outcomes requires an integrated, patient-centered healthcare system, multisectoral engagement, community organizing, social action, and reducing health inequities. Over the last few years, extensive evidence has shown the benefits of active and equitable community participation in health research and promotion to address problems related to social and structural inequities that significantly affect underserved populations. population. Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR) is recognized as a fundamental approach to improving community health outcomes and reducing health inequalities. Based on CBPR principles, all CEC activities have been designed, planned, and implemented with the active participation of trained community members (community partners). In 2019, the PSHU-RCMI-CEC created and implemented the Community Training Institute for Health Disparities (CTIHD), providing basic knowledge and skills in research and education to promote better health outcomes community. The proposed project aims to expand training to members of underserved communities in the southern and western regions of the island to increase research on health disparities and community health promotion. Recognizing the importance of achieving partnerships between academic researchers and community members, we will integrate junior investigators and community trainees in three topics taught by the CTIHD (CBPR, Social Determinants of Health, Translational Research). Advancing in the Community-engagement research continuum, we will establish the Community Research Engagement Office (CREO), led by our community partners and CTHI alumni, to establish a sustainable communication channel between the communities and academic researchers to respond to the needs of community health. Responding to community-identified priorities, we will develop and implement a culturally appropriate strategic action plan focused on mental health to identify risk factors, create educational strategies for prevention and early detection of symptoms, and promote care services in community settings. The CEC will support PSHU-RCMI full/pilot projects to translate their research and disseminate results to benefit communities. In addition, it lays the groundwork for future collaborations of the PSHU-RCMI-CEC with the RCMI-CEC consortium to bring the curriculum to Hispanic/Latino populations on the mainland.