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1993.04.12 :  Research Centers on Minority Health

Contact:  Bob Isquith (301) 227-8364 ext 159
Bob Griffin (301) 227-8364 ext. 169
April 12, 1993

     HHS Secretary Donna E. Shalala today announced establishment
of five federally funded research centers designed to increase
research efforts to prevent, diagnose and treat illnesses among
minority populations.
     Funding for the centers, which was provided by the Public
Health Service's Agency for Health Care Policy and Research,
includes $2.7 million for the first year, with an overall
commitment of more than $15 million over the next five years. 
The centers are located in Baltimore, Detroit, Nashville, San
Francisco and Chicago.
     Secretary Shalala said a principal focus of the centers'
efforts will be on "outcomes" research -- study of variations in
practice styles and treatment for specific diseases and
conditions to determine what treatments are most effective and
are most likely to lead to favorable patient outcomes.
     "The centers will support outcomes research in health
problems that are especially prevalent among minorities," she
said.  "In addition, they will provide training opportunities for
researchers specializing in minority health issues, offer
technical assistance to policymakers and state and local health
officials, and disseminate health information pertinent to
minority communities."
     AHCPR Administrator J. Jarrett Clinton, M.D., said that
minority populations, when viewed as a whole, have higher rates
of 
hypertension, heart disease and many other diseases.  Research
can help health care providers improve the effectiveness of
medical treatment for minorities and reduce or eliminate
ineffective or inappropriate care."
     Dr. Clinton said type II diabetes is 33 percent more common
among African-Americans than whites.  Untreated, diabetes can
lead to heart disease, stroke, kidney failure and blindness. 
"AIDS affects proportionately more African-Americans and
Hispanics -- and rates are increasing disproportionately," Dr.
Clinton said.  "In some Asian-American communities the incidence
of tuberculosis is 40 times higher than in the general
population."
     The Research Centers on Minority Populations are part of
AHCPR's Medical Effectiveness Treatment Program (MEDTEP), which
includes outcomes research, development of clinical practice
guidelines, and widespread dissemination of research findings and
practice guidelines to health care practitioners and consumers.  
       The centers, for which funding was announced today,
include:

o  University of California at San Francisco, Institute for
Health Policy Studies ($748,166 for FY '93). Principal
investigator: A. Eugene Washington, M.D., - will investigate
cardiovascular disease, breast and cervical cancer screening,
type II diabetes, and prenatal care issues among African-
Americans and Latinos (target populations will be extended to
Native Americans in FY 1994).
 
o  University of Maryland, Department of Pediatrics, Baltimore,
Md. ($677,663 for FY '93).  Principal investigator: Bonita F.
Stanton, M.D. - will study child and adolescent health among
African-Americans, focusing on AIDS, emergency room outcomes,
violence and substance abuse.

o  Meharry Medical College, Nashville, Tenn. ($400,000 for FY
'93).  Principal investigator: Robert Levine, M.D.- will study
hypertension, substance abuse, infant mortality and chronic
diseases among African-Americans.

o  Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, Mich. ($400,000 for FY '93). 
Principal investigator: Mark J. Young, M.D. - will study hip
fracture and total hip replacement, type I diabetes, asthma and
geriatric outcomes among African-Americans.

o  University of Illinois, Chicago, Ill., ($400,000 for FY '93). 
Principal investigator: Aida Giachello, Ph.D. - will study type
II diabetes, substance abuse and infant mortality outcomes among
mid-west Latinos.

     In addition to the five research centers for which funding
is announced today, AHCPR has also funded six other MEDTEP
Research Centers on Minority Populations.  These are located in
New York, Texas, California, Georgia, New Mexico and Hawaii.

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