The Network for Community-Engaged Primary Care Research

Topics:

Health Disparities in Chronic Conditions

The Network for Community-Engaged Primary Care Research (NCPCR) aligns with the mission of the National Institute of Health’s Community Engagement Alliance (CEAL) program by using community-engaged research in primary care settings. NCPCR teams design and test interventions to address health inequities and improve diversity and inclusion in research.

NCPCR Components

The NCPCR program has two main components:

A data ecosystem that uses the existing data warehouse capabilities and electronic health record data from primary care settings in CEAL communities, and
A clinical trial conducted in the primary care setting. This component will show how the data ecosystem can make clinical research more inclusive and improve health care for the populations most impacted by health inequities.

The data ecosystem will include information from community health centers (CHCs), which are geographically located in CEAL communities and provide primary care to patients often left out of clinical research opportunities.

The clinical trial will work with community health workers (CHWs) from CHCs to identify patients with uncontrolled diabetes mellitus or hypertension. These teams will also address challenges affecting patients’ ability to access regular health care or cope with chronic diseases such as limited access to food, transportation, and jobs. CHWs can support patients by referring them to local social service organizations.