CDU to Co-Design RWJF Health Equity Research Program
Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science (CDU) has been awarded a 9-month $770K planning grant to establish the University as a Health Equity Research for Action (HERA) Coordinating Center.
CDU will serve as one of three institutions in the country to lead a community-driven, action-oriented research program to identify and implement systemic solutions to health inequities. Support for this grant was provided by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
The multi-year research program unites academic researchers, community leaders, practitioners, and policy partners in a shared commitment to co-create knowledge with communities.
“By centering lived experience and engaging local community members and partners across coordinating center sites, this initiative advances innovative solutions to complex challenges across systems, policies, and practices that affect our collective ability to achieve health equity. We are excited to support community-driven research that aims to disrupt these systems,” said Laura D’Anna, DrPH, MPA and Cynthia Gonzalez, PhD, MPH, Co-Directors. “Lasting, positive change happens when institutions listen, learn, and work alongside the people most affected by the issues shaping their lives.”