Arkansas Center for Health Disparities T32 Pre-doctoral Research Training Program

PROJECT SUMMARY This proposal seeks to renew a pre-doctoral training program “Arkansas Center for Health Disparities T32 Pre-doctoral Research Training Program” (ARCHD-T32) in the Department of Health Policy and Management at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS). The program builds on the research infrastructure of the UAMS Translational Research Institute and five social science PhD programs across the College of Public Health, the College of Pharmacy, and the College of Nursing with support from the Department of Biomedical Informatics in the College of Medicine. ARCHD-T32 provides a formal structure for integrating advanced analytics into social science programs through didactic and applied settings with a focus on reducing health disparities and improving health consistent with the priorities of NIMHD. ARCHD-T32 scholars benefit from the rich data resources, experienced mentors, and didactic coursework in natural language processing, machine learning, data visualization, and data mining. ARCHD-T32 leverages the unique data assets available to trainees, especially the Arkansas All Payer Claims Database to address three specific aims: 1) Provide a formal structure for training social scientists in disparities research using advanced data analytics and a team science approach; 2) Develop formal externship programs with key partners in the state; and 3) Collaborate with the UAMS Translational Research Institute, other key institutes in Arkansas, and the TADA-BSSR consortium. A formal organizational structure including a Multiple Program Director plan that combines expertise from the social sciences, analytics, biostatistics, and informatics is proposed to meet five primary objectives: to recruit strong trainees with quantitative backgrounds/capabilities and an interest in disparities research; to develop a high-quality, individualized training program in advanced analytics directed at identifying and eliminating healthcare disparities; to increase the workforce in Arkansas and the nation that has advanced analytics capabilities and can contribute to identifying and eliminating healthcare disparities; to foster a training environment based on interdisciplinary expertise and team science that responds to community needs; to evaluate the breadth of the training program with respect to the overarching goal of sustaining a strong training program that meets the needs of the state and the nation. Support is requested to maintain four slots for pre-doctoral students with two-year training commitments. With technical and financial resources from UAMS and state partners, the ARCHD-T32 training program serves as a national model for addressing health using advanced analytics in an environment with pronounced health disparities.