Mission Statement
Despite improvements in the overall health of older people and increases in life expectancy, significant health disparities remain between minority and non-minority older adults. Racial and ethnic minority elders are among the fastest growing segments of the population, and the reduction and ultimate elimination of health disparities are a national health priority.
The Resource Centers for Minority Aging Research (RCMAR) mission is to decrease health disparities by increasing the number of researchers who focus on the health of minority elders; enhancing the diversity in the professional workforce by mentoring minority academic researchers for careers in minority elders health research; improving recruitment and retention methods used to enlist minority elders in studies so that research can accurately identify and work toward solutions to health disparities; creating culturally sensitive health measures that assess the health status of minority elders with greater precision; and increasing the effectiveness of interventions designed to improve their health and well-being.
Methods used to fulfill this mission include:
- Mentoring researchers new to the study of minority health and aging.
- Enhancing the diversity in the professional workforce by mentoring minority academic researchers for careers in minority elders health research.
- Developing and providing research infrastructure using tested models to increase participation of minority elders in research studies.
- Training researchers in cultural awareness, community development techniques, and methodological skills.
- Funding pilot research studies that (1) will likely lead to independent investigator awards; (2) involve minority researchers as project investigators.
A central coordinating center provides logistical support to the RCMAR centers, and oversees dissemination activities designed to reach the larger research and health professional communities, public policy makers, and consumers. The coordinating center is also the national clearinghouse for measurement tools, instruments, publications, community activity, pilot research, and other resources developed by RCMAR investigators.
Contacts |
Janet C. Frank, DrPH Director RCMAR II Coordinating Center UCLA MPGMG, 10945 Le Conte Avenue, #2339 Los Angeles, CA 90095 Phone: (310) 312-0536 Fax: (310) 312-0546 Email: jcfrank@ucla.edu |
Sidney M. Stahl, PhD Chief, Individual Behavioral Processes Branch Behavioral and Social Research Program National Institute on Aging National Institutes of Health 7201 Wisconsin Avenue, #533 Bethesda, MD 20892-9205 Phone: (301) 402-4156 Fax: (301) 402-0051 Email: Sidney_Stahl@nih.gov |
RCMAR Web Site: http://www.rcmar.ucla.edu |
National Coordinating Center
Janet C. Frank, DrPH, Principal Investigator
University of California, Los Angeles
Multicampus Program in Geriatric Medicine and Gerontology
10945 Le Conte Avenue, Ste. 2339
Los Angeles, CA 90095-1687
(310) 312-0536
(310) 312-0546
email: jcfrank@mednet.ucla.edu
Website: www.rcmar.ucla.edu/cc_dir.php
Michigan
Michigan Center for Urban African American Aging Research (MCUAAAR)
James S. Jackson, PhD, Principal Investigator
The University of Michigan
Institute for Social Research
426 Thompson Street
Ann Arbor, MI 48106-1248
Phone: (313) 763-2491
Fax: (313) 763-0044
e-mail: jamessj@umich.edu
Website: http://mcuaaar.iog.wayne.edu
Peter A. Lichtenberg, PhD, ABPP, Principal Investigator
Wayne State University
Institute of Gerontology
87 E. Ferry Street
Detroit, MI 48202
Phone: (313) 577-2297
Fax: (313) 875-0127
email: p.lichtenberg@wayne.edu
Website: http://mcuaaar.iog.wayne.edu
New York
Columbia Center for the Active Life of Minority Elders (CALME)
Rafael A. Lantigua, MD, Principal Investigator
Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center
622 West 168 Street
New York, NY 10032
Phone: (212) 305-6262
Fax: (212) 305-6279
email: ral4@columbia.edu
Website: http://salk.cpmc.columbia.edu/dept/calme
Colorado
Native Elder Research Center (NERC)
Spero M. Manson, PhD, Principal Investigator
University of Colorado Health Sciences Center
Division of American Indian and Alaska Native Programs
Nighthorse Campbell Native Health Bldg.
Mail Stop F800, P.O. Box 6508
Aurora, CO 80045-0508
Phone: (303) 724-1444
Fax: (303) 724-1474
email: spero.manson@uchsc.edu
Website: www.uchsc.edu/ai/nerc
California
UCLA/Drew Center for Health Improvement for Minority Elders (CHIME)
Carol M. Mangione, MD, Principal Investigator
David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA
General Internal Medicine & Health Services Research
911 Broxton Plaza
Los Angeles, CA 90095-1736
Phone: (310) 794-2298
Fax: (310) 794-0723
email: cmangione@mednet.ucla.edu
Website: www.chime.ucla.edu
Center for Aging in Diverse Communities (CADC)
Eliseo J. PĂ©rez-Stable, MD, Principal Investigator
University of California, San Francisco
3333 California St., Ste. 335
Box 0856
San Francisco, CA 94143-0856
Phone: (415) 476-5369
Fax: (415) 476-7964
email: eliseops@medicine.ucsf.edu
Website: http://medicine.ucsf.edu/cadc
South Carolina
SC Cooperative for Healthy Aging in Minority Populations(CHAMP)
Barbara C. Tilley, PhD, Principal Investigator
Medical University of South Carolina
College of Medicine
Department of Biometry and Epidemiology
135 Cannon St.
P.O. Box 250835
Charleston, SC 29425
Phone: (843) 876-1327
Fax: (843) 876-1127
email: tilleybc@musc.edu
Website: http://scrcmar.musc.edu