Work

Charting the Future of Health Equity Research: Lessons Learned and Future Aspirations for NHLBI’s DECIPHeR Alliance

Year: 2023

Type: article

Abstract: The Disparities Elimination through Coordinated Interventions to Prevent and Control Heart and Lung Disease Risk (DECIPHeR) research program, supported by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), focuses on developing and testing sustainable interventions to reduce heart and lung disease disparities. This perspective piece reflects on lessons learned during the planning phase (UG3) and outlines the accomplishments of the DECIPHeR Alliance. The article emphasizes the importance of a biphasic (UG3/UH3) funding mechanism, technical assistance, and collaborative subcommittees in achieving success. As DECIPHeR enters phase 2 (UH3), the article anticipates rigorously planned studies addressing social determinants of health and emphasizes the need for effective implementation strategies and equitable research frameworks. The Alliance's contributions, such as the IM4Equity framework, offer novel approaches to community-engaged health equity and implementation science research. The article explores future opportunities, including dissemination strategies, community engagement, and collaboration with diverse partners, to maximize DECIPHeR's impact on health disparities beyond cardiovascular and pulmonary health.

Source: Ethnicity & Disease

DOI: 10.18865/ed.decipher.135

Authors: Shahnaz Khan, Cara Lewis, Xinzhi Zhang, Maliha Ilias, George Mensah

Institution: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

Language: English

Topic: Health disparities and outcomes

Subfield: Health

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Reduced inequalities, Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

Funders: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health