# Community Engagement Core

> **NIH NIH U54** · PONCE SCHOOL OF MEDICINE · 2024 · $559,418

## Abstract

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.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10797609
- **Project number:** 2U54MD007579-39
- **Recipient organization:** PONCE SCHOOL OF MEDICINE
- **Principal Investigator:** Julio Cesar Jimenez Chavez
- **Activity code:** U54 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $559,418
- **Award type:** 2
- **Project period:** 1997-08-25 → 2025-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10797609

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10797609, Community Engagement Core (2U54MD007579-39). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10797609. Licensed CC0.

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