Summaries of Independent Scientist (K) Awards

Lara, Marielena

Institution: University of California, Los Angeles
Grant Title: Improving Outcomes in US Latino Children
Grant Number: K08 HS00008
Duration: 5 years (2000-2005)
Total Award: $633,150

Project Description: The purpose of this project is to develop and evaluate a combined health care and school community-based intervention to ensure access to high-quality primary care for Latino and other children with asthma; and identify factors that are associated with variations in asthma prevalence and morbidity among U.S. children of Puerto Rican, Mexican, Cuban, and other Latino heritage. This project has three main goals:

1. Analyzing access and quality of care barriers associated with higher asthma morbidity in poor and minority children with asthma.
2. Improving survey methods for evaluating morbidity and risk factors associated with asthma, paying particular attention to challenges posed by English/Spanish bilingualism and by the need to incorporate perspectives of both parents and child.
3. Reviewing the existing literature regarding differences in asthma morbidity among Latino children with asthma.

Career Goals: Dr. Lara plans to develop as a health services researcher with a focus on disparities in health care delivery and outcomes in children.  Further she would like to continue developing the community-based and research infrastructure in this research area.

Progress to Date: Dr. Lara has successfully completed her K08 grant. Research highlights from her study can be found in the publications listed below.

Highlights and Specific Accomplishments:

• National Research Service Awards (NRSA), Agency for Health Care Policy Research, (AHCPR).
• Minority Medical Faculty Fellow, Robert Wood Johnson (RWJ) Foundation.
• Professional societies:
  • Ambulatory Pediatric Association.
  • American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology.
  • American Academy of Pediatrics.
  • Society for Latino Health Research.
  • Member, American Lung Association of California, Asthma Technical Advisor Group.

K-Generated Publications:

• Lara M, Duan N, Sherbourne C, et al. Children's Use of Emergency Departments for Asthma: Persistent Barriers or Acute Need? Journal of Asthma 2003;40(3):289-99.
• Olson L, Lara M, Frintner MP. Measuring Health Status and Quality of Life in Children: Relationship to Race, Ethnicity, and Income Status. Ambulatory Pediatrics 2004 Jul-Aug;4(4 Suppl):377-86.
• Lara M, Gamboa C, Kahramanian MI, et al. Acculturation and Latino Health in the United States: A Review of the Literature and its Sociopolitical Context. Annual Review of Public Health 2005;26:367-97.
• Lara M, Rosenbaum S, Rachelefsky G, et al. Improving Childhood Asthma Outcomes in the United States: A Blueprint for Policy Action. Pediatrics 2002 May;109(5):919-30.

AHRQ Research Portfolio: Socio-economics of Health Care; Care Management; Training.
AHRQ Goals: Efficiency

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