# Community Engagement Core

> **NIH NIH U54** · MEHARRY MEDICAL COLLEGE · 2020 · $381,953

## Abstract

Engaging communities in research is critical for reducing and, in time, eliminating health disparities among 
racial and ethnic minorities, and socioeconomically disadvantaged communities. The known benefits of this 
engagement include enhanced research study designs, expansion of public trust in research, increased 
community research participation, and improved uptake and translation of research findings that are relevant 
for disparate populations. Cultivating and sustaining meaningful community involvement in research, however, 
remains one of the most significant challenges facing clinical and behavioral research programs. Guided by 
leaders with substantial experience in community engaged research, public health, and clinical research, the 
Community Engagement Core will employ an inclusive and participatory engagement philosophy to involve 
disparate communities in all aspects of the health disparities research at Meharry Medical College. A 
conceptual framework that recognizes the structural, social, cultural, behavioral, and biological factors that 
influence disparities will guide the Community Engagement Core's implementation of 3 specific aims: 
Aim 1 - Meaningfully engage community-based organizations in all aspects of the health disparities research 
including priority-setting, study conduct, and dissemination to address their health-related concerns; Specific 
Aim 2 - Promote community participation in research and catalyze recruitment and retention of 
underrepresented groups as research participants; 
Aim 3 - Enhance dissemination of health disparities research findings to community stakeholders using 
culturally-relevant strategies. 
In implementing these aims, the Community Engagement Core strives to equip and empower community- 
based organizations to both lead and partner on efforts to address health disparities, increase and enhance the 
pipeline of community engaged researchers at Meharry Medical College, and inform the field on best practices 
for engaging communities in efforts to eliminate health disparities.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9974580
- **Project number:** 5U54MD007586-34
- **Recipient organization:** MEHARRY MEDICAL COLLEGE
- **Principal Investigator:** Stephania T. Miller-Hughes
- **Activity code:** U54 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $381,953
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1997-09-30 → 2022-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9974580

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9974580, Community Engagement Core (5U54MD007586-34). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-21 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9974580. Licensed CC0.

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