Organizational Structure
The IHPR has two Support Cores:
- Administrative Core: Consists of a Director, Deputy Director and appropriate staff to support and promote IHPR infrastructure and operational functions.
- Information and Evaluation Core: Consists of expertise in information technology services (Web sites, graphics, computer programming, etc.) and evaluation services (qualitative and quantitative data, data management, biostatistics, etc.) to serve each of the research sections, due to the cross-cutting nature of the technical expertise required to fulfill the IHPR mission. Information technology services will support the IHPR’s ability to manage its activities and promote them within UT Health Science Center and CTRC and to the myriad of health disparities stakeholders in South Texas and beyond. Evaluation services will support the development of the IHPR’s research and dissemination activities.
The IHPR has three Research Sections:
- Assessment and Analysis Research (AAR) Section: Investigates the nature, prevalence and determinants of health disparities with research focused on: genetic, familial, occupational and environmental factors influencing disparities in cancer and chronic disease risk; sources of disparities and access to and quality of screening and care; and organizational and societal conditions contributing to health disparities. This section guides the research strategies deployed in the IHPR’s other sections.
- Experimental and Demonstration Research (EDR) Section: Conducts experimental studies, from clinical to community-level demonstration projects, to test the efficacy and feasibility of potential behavioral, psychological and social policy interventions to reduce health disparities. Study topics examine the causes of disparities, primary prevention, screening, clinical care and survivorship. Study participants include all populations, with special attention to groups that experience disproportionate health disparities in South Texas, the rest of Texas and the nation. This section also contains IHPR staff and faculty that: identifies and promotes mentorship and training opportunities among early-career scientists and senior researchers; develop and conduct community outreach and education for UT Health Science Center and CTRC service-area populations in response to specified outreach needs; manage and evaluate outreach activities; and recruit and coordinate a network of volunteers to assist in outreach and maintaining community-based links to promote cancer and chronic disease prevention in South Texas.
- Dissemination and Policy Research (DPR) Section: Translates basic research into effective interventions and professional training programs that can be replicated and disseminated to generate beneficial, evidence-based programs that reduce health disparities. The IHPR expects to take a leadership role in disseminating successful intervention programs, as both the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Cancer Institute have prioritized this action among its grantees, which the IHPR is one. This section also assesses policies and economic and health laws that can reduce disparities and analyzes the factors that promote and impede policy and law implementation. This section also identifies and promotes mentorship and training opportunities between early-career scientists within the IHPR and with senior researchers at UT Health Science Center, CTRC at UT Health Science Center and RAHC.