Research
Three core values guide the strategic planning of the Center for Health Equity Research and Promotion: scientific rigor, relevance, and engagement.
The scientific rigor of our research must be recognized as among the best empirical investigation in the field. The most valuable changes in health and health care are typically not the consequence of a single research project, but the product of accumulated knowledge, systematically gathered, on an important topic. Thus, we believe our most valuable and enduring scientific contributions will come from getting our research right consistently over time. This commitment to scientific rigor enhances our standing in the scientific community, helps us attract and retain talented investigators, and demonstrates VA's leadership within the field of health services research. The relevance of our research to the VA Healthcare System must be evident to the audiences capable of using it to advance the quality and equity of Veteran health and health care.
What is Health Equity Research?
CHERP Co-Director Said Ibrahim, MD, MPH discusses health equity research in this video:
The Center for Health Equity Research and Promotion's research focuses on vulnerable veteran populations, including those who face potential discrimination because of race, ethnicity, or social status, and those at risk for disparities in health or health care due to other physical and/or mental conditions. For equity research, CHERP uses a framework that recognizes three generations of health equity research: (1) detection of disparities in health and health care; (2) understanding the causes and mechanisms of these disparities; and (3) development and testing of interventions to reduce or eliminate disparities.
Activities Towards Goals
CHERP engages in diverse activities towards achievement of the program goals and our strategic plans.
Click on each goal below to learn more about our activities in support of our strategic goals:
- To advance understanding of the determinants of the quality and equity in health and health care; and design, test, implement and evaluate interventions to improve the quality and equity of health and health care for vulnerable populations.
- To improve the health and health care of Veterans and other populations through innovative research beyond our focus on the quality and equity of health and health care for vulnerable populations.
- To expand collaborations and partnerships to maximize the rigor, relevance, and impact of our research.
- To expand mentoring, training, and educational programs that enhance research career development and increase VA and national capacity for rigorous health equity and health services research.
- To advance the VA's clinical, educational, and research missions by providing service to key internal and external stakeholders at local, regional, and national levels.
- To augment established organizational infrastructure to maximize CHERP capacity to conduct high impact research and support the effective translation of research into clinical practice and policy.
Funded Research Projects and Collaborations
Center for Health Equity Research and Promotion Investigators engage in research that has the potential to impact VHA policies, healthcare practices, and health outcomes for Veterans. Their work addresses questions of significance to VHA clinical and operational partners. CHERP Investigators are involved in other funded initiatives, including research projects and programs supported by the Agency for Healthcare Research & Quality (AHRQ), National Institutes of Health (NIH), and other sponsors with missions aligned with our focus on the quality and equity of health and healthcare for vulnerable populations.
Click here for a list of funded projects that CHERP Investigators are currently leading or involved in as a co-investigator.
Click here for a list of select publications that CHERP Investigators have authored or co-authored.
