Promoting Community-Engaged Research in Primary Care

NCPCR Components 

NCPCR has two components that ensure it meets its objectives— a data ecosystem and a clinical trial. 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 data ecosystem will use existing data from electronic health records (EHRs).

The clinical trial, called Community Health Workers Systematically Assessing and Addressing Social Determinants of Health to Improve Outcomes In Community-based Health Centers (CHW-SYSTIM), will include 26 CHCs. The NCPCR team will work with community health workers (CHWs) from the CHCs to identify patients with uncontrolled diabetes or hypertension. The team will also address challenges patients may have accessing regular health care or coping with chronic diseases such as limited access to healthy food, reliable transportation, and a reliable source of income. CHWs can support patients by referring them to local social service organizations.

NCPCR Objectives 

1. Support research studying awareness, education, and health information needs for biomedical research. 

2. Promote the inclusion of disproportionately affected racial and ethnic minorities in biomedical research, including clinical studies and trials.

What Does the Network for Community-Engaged Primary Care Research Offer? 

• Rigorous evidence-based intervention research in primary care settings to address social determinants of health and chronic disease.
• Innovative strategies that improve health care delivery in the primary care setting, including gaps in prevention and treatment with the goal of reducing disparities in access to care, quality of care, and health outcomes in CEAL communities.
• Health equity, improved health outcomes, and stronger community partnerships through community-engaged research in primary care settings.
• Community engagement through partnerships with CHCs and community-based organizations.
• Integrated systems to encourage the participation and inclusion of populations experiencing health disparities in clinical studies and trials.
• Data from EHRs to promote data interoperability for public health.
• A novel infrastructure for practice-based research across a national network of Federally Qualified Health Centers and CHCs.
• Collaboration with communities to address their priorities, including financial support for CHCs, primary care associations, and other health care partners.

NCPCR Awardees 

Morehouse School Of Medicine 

Morehouse School of Medicine (MSM) is among the nation’s leading educators of primary care physicians, and is recognized for its social work. MSM coordinates the Southeast Regional Clinicians Network, which includes over 200 Federally Qualified Health Centers, more than 1,700 clinical sites, and eight state primary care associations serving over 4 million patients. MSM also partners with the Health Choice Network, a nonprofit organization providing health information technology services to 60 safety-net health care organizations that serve 3 million patients in 20 U.S. states and territories. 

OCHIN

OCHIN is a nonprofit leader in equitable health care innovation and a trusted partner in a growing national network of providers. With the country’s largest collection of community health data and more than 20 years of practice based research and solutions expertise, OCHIN provides the clinical insights and tailored technologies needed to expand patient access, connect and expand care teams, and improve the health of the most impacted communities.

NCPCR Data Ecosystem & Clinical Trial Partners as of August 2024

NCPCR is supported by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute and the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities.