CURRENT PROJECTS
Below is a list of health research-related projects that are currently taking place, or have occurred within the last several years through UCC and our various research partners.
All of US
Collaborating with UW-Madison/School of Medicine and Public Health and Medical College of Wisconsin in a nationwide health project related to the Precision Medicine Initiative of the National Institute of Health, by helping to raise awareness, engagement and recruitment of Latinos into this high level effort to establish a nationwide health database of 1 million people to enable future development of precision medicine.
Alzheimer's Care Management in Minority Groups
In collaboration with Dr. Melinda Kavanaugh from UW-Milwaukee in a NIH-funded project (National Institute of Health), we are studying the impact of dementia on family caregivers and crisis points that lead to external formal care services for their family member. The goal is to develop a future guide to help reduce or prevent crisis situations and prolong the support provided by family members of persons with dementia.
Avazando Juntas
In collaboration with Dr. Melinda Stolley from the Medical College of Wisconsin, we are facilitating a study with Latino female cancer survivors receiving community-based interventions of health education, nutrition education and physical activities in a supportive group model to determine if this level of support can produce better health outcomes.
Diabetes Management - FINANCE DM
In collaboration with Dr. Leonard Egede from the Medical College of Wisconsin, this research study is evaluating if financial incentives combined with nurse-coaching will improve self-management of diabetes among adults.
HOME Diabetes Management
In collaboration with Dr. Leonard Egede from the Medical College of Wisconsin, this research study evaluates how group sessions will lead to behavioral changes in diabetes in diabetes management among Latino elders (55+) with type 2 Diabetes.
Breast Cancer, Race and Place
In collaboration with Dr. Kristen Beyer from the Medical College of Wisconsin, we are providing guidance and assistance in studying how social factors of racial and residential segregation impact the health outcomes of Latino women with a history of breast cancer.
Pisando Fuerte
In collaboration with Dr. Maria Mora Pinzon from UW-Madison/School of Medicine and Public Health, we are working to adapt and test a Spanish version of an evidence-based falls prevention program (Stepping On) for Spanish-speaking Latino older adults and, developing internal capacity for a Pisando Fuerte master trainer.
Tele-Eye Health Collaborative
In collaboration with Dr. Judy Kim from the Medical College of Wisconsin/ Eye Institute, Milwaukee Health Department and Marquette University, we are participating in coalition-led efforts ti reduce eye diseases and vision loss among diabetic population in under-served areas with high prevalence of diabetes through expanded use of tele-medicine strategies and conducting a community needs assessment about eye health and barriers to preventive care in under-served areas of Milwaukee.
Research Ambassador for University of Wisconsin-Madison
In collaboration with the Center for Health Care Equity/ Institute for Community Translational Research from UW-Madison, a Health Research Ambassador position is imbedded in UCC to serve as a liaison and support to UW researchers and the Latino community, with the aim to expand community engaged health research opportunities of mutual benefit.
TRIUMPH
Collaborating with UW-Madison/School of Medicine and Public Health, we facilitate local opportunities for medical students in the Training in Urban Medicine and Public Health program (TRIUMPH), and assist with mentoring and supporting medical students in projects at UCC or the Latino community.
SHOW (Survey on the Health of Wisconsin)
We are assisting UW-Madison in its statewide health survey in order to facilitate effective recruitment of Latinos in greater Milwaukee in this valuable survey.
RESEARCH COLLABORATIONS
Milwaukee Latino Health Coalition
Membership in this local group comprised of community and health providers serving the Latino community focusses on assessing needs and developing collective strategies for systemic changes leading to better outcomes for Latinos, including new research initiatives through a newly formed Research Action Committee.
Fortaleciendo Puentes: A Continuum of Community Dementia Care for Latinos
In collaboration with UW-Milwaukee, Alzheimer's Association, and Milwaukee County Department of Aging, in a federally funded project from the Administration on Community Living, we aim to design, deliver and evaluate strategies that improve earlier diagnosis and treatment, and to improve care and support to Latinos impacted by dementia and by intellectual/developmental disabilities with cognitive impairments. New strategies include a mobile memory clinic, staff training, community outreach and education, and family caregiver education and training, including for youth helping to care for a family member with dementia.
*If you have any questions, or wish for further information about these projects, please contact Al Castro, Program Director, at (414) 649-2839 or at acastro@unitedcc.org.