The Research Core is designed to foster and support established and new investigators in conducting research and pilot studies related to health disparities. Consistent with the themes of the Project EXPORT Center for Excellence in Rural Health concerning chronic disease management and community-based participatory research, the original research agenda of the Core was composed of four projects designed to address significant health issues of rural populations. Research projects consisted of one four-year longitudinal study and three pilot studies conducted over a two-year period.

Abstracts of the current research projects are provided below:

In 2005, a research grant competition was sponsored by the Research Core to replace the initial pilot projects and foster additional research on health disparities. A request for applications was sent to faculty at four University of Illinois campuses: Rockford; Chicago; Urbana; Peoria. A total of 19 grant applications focusing on a variety of health disparity topics were received. Out of these, four were funded.

Project EXPORT Center Pilot Grant Competition

Proposal Title Campus
Development and Evaluation of a Mail-Delivered Arthritis Education Program for Rural Adults Rockford
Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome in Latino College Students: Prevention and Risk-Detection Rockford
Living Well with Diabetes: An Education Intervention Targeting Low Income Rural Adults with Diabetes Urbana
Cervical Cancer Therapies Rockford
Health and Health Care Disparities Among Rural Illinois Counties as Compared to Urban Rockford
Implement and Assess the American Heart Association's 'Search Your Heart' Program in Winnebago and Stephenson Counties Rockford
Prevalence and Patterns of Care for Multiple Sclerosis in Rural and Urban Illinois Rockford
Pharmacists' Roles in Improving Health in Illinois Chicago
Health Disparities in Rural Illinois for Underserved Populations Diagnosed with Diabetes Urbana
Lifestyle Modifications for the Management of Chronic Pain Rockford
Improving Access and Usage of Community Mental Health Agencies by Recently-Arrived Latinos: The Role of the Work Place Environment Urbana
Service Needs for Women of Color Who are Victims/Survivors of Domestic Violence Rockford
Physician Distribution and Health: A Three-Stage Least Squares Analysis Rockford
Investigation on the Genetic Basis of Prostate Cancer Incidence in Disparity Among Different Ethnic Groups Living in Rural Illinois Rockford
Investigating Healthcare Disparities by Small Areas Analysis Rockford
Determining Health Status and Disparities for an Embedded Rural Workforce Rockford
Engaging Underserved Communities to Reduce Health Disparities Chicago
ACCESS: African-American Community Cancer Prevention Using Ethnographically Situated Social Research: Introduction of a Novel Method into the Science Peoria
Modulation of RANK Signaling by Calmodulin Rockford

Abstracts of the four funded projects are provided below:

Engaging Underserved Communities to Reduce Health Disparities:

This study documents and investigates strategies to help communities (two urban; two rural) with underserved populations collectively address disparities in health, focusing on improving environmental quality. The project will improve knowledge about how different strategies and approached used by Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) working with communities to address disparities in the built environment may contribute to improved health. The study will introduce each group to “Strategies for Success” outlined in Healthy People in Healthy Communities: A Community Planning Guide Using Healthy People 2010. Partners include: Nathalie P. Voorhees Center of the University of Illinois at Chicago, West Humboldt Park Family and Community Development Council, Martin Temple Foundation of Greater Grand Crossing, and Town Council of Watseka. Project PI: Janet Smith, Ph.D.; Co-PI: Martha Glas, M.S.

Health Disparities in Rural Illinois for Underserved Populations Diagnosed with Diabetes:

This study is designed to address the many facets of health care needed to provide care to underserved and minority patients diagnosed with diabetes, including:1) assess the needs of and barriers to care in diabetes patients; 2) increase knowledge of nutrition and medications in this group; and 3) examine the impact of teaching/education sessions. The project uses the existing Extension nutrition program “Dining with Diabetes” to present nutrition information. The Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) is used to assess patients’ health quality, barriers to care, and knowledge of diabetes. Targeted populations are Hispanic/Latino, African-American, and elderly white. Partners include: University of Illinois Extension, Illinois Department of Human Services, and local public health departments. Project PI: Susan Farner, Ph.D.

Pharmacists’ Roles in Improving Health in Illinois:

This study examines access to and use of pharmaceutical care in rural Illinois. The project assesses whether rural community pharmacies meet access standards under Medicare Part D and test whether current Illinois Medicaid beneficiaries will have significantly more limited access than other eligible beneficiaries un the new Medicare Part D program. The study also examines provider perceptions and community concerns regarding the level of pharmaceutical care in rural communities and the likely impact of the Medicare prescription benefit change. Partners include: University of Illinois College of Pharmacy, Midwest Center for Health Workforce Studies, Illinois Council of Health-System Pharmacists, and Illinois Department of Professional Regulation. Project PI: Stephanie Crawford, Pharm.D.; Co-PI: Surrey Walton, Ph.D.

Determining Health Status and Disparities for an Embedded Rural Workforce:

This project addresses the health and quality of life that impact on the horse racing industry and the people who support it. While all people working in the industry have health-related risks and needs, those who work on the backstretch (mainly from rural origins) may be at increased risk due to health disparities arising from a variety of factors, including genetic inheritance, race and ethnicity, economic circumstances, inadequate health literacy, cultural beliefs and practices, limited access to care, and lifestyle issues. This study assessed the risks and needs and develops strategies for improving the health and health care of the backstretch population. Partners include: National Center for Rural Health Professions, University of Illinois College of Medicine, College of Nursing, and College of Dentistry, Illinois Department of Public Health, Village of Arlington, Northwest Community Hospital, Racing Industry Charitable Foundation, Inc., and Arlington Park Racetrack. Project PI: Karin Opacich, Ph.D., MHPE
In addition to the projects, the Research Core meets on a monthly basis to discuss progress on the EXPORT-supported projects, share information on study instruments and consider strategies for linking and informing the research of Project EXPORT, and learning about other health disparities projects in the region as well as statewide. Recent meetings of the Research Core have included presentations by research project investigators, students working on health disparities projects, and project updates and summaries by the Rockford Council on Minority Affairs and the Mobile Pediatric Asthma Unit of the City of Chicago.