Center for Latino Health Research Opportunities-CLaRO

ABSTRACT Latino populations in Miami-Dade County (FL) continue to experience health disparities. To address these critical public health issues, a well-trained, community-engaged health disparities workforce is needed; new cohorts of highly skilled, multidisciplinary health disparities researchers can develop new knowledge and translate research findings into affected underserved communities. Thus, this application proposes to expand the health disparities research and training efforts of the Center for Latino Health Research Opportunities (CLaRO). Over the past 6 six years, the University of Miami (UM) and Florida International University (FIU) have partnered as CLaRO to reduce and prevent health disparities across the intersecting syndemic conditions of substance abuse, violence, and HIV/AIDS (i.e., SAVA) affecting Latinos. CLaRO’s focus has been to reduce and prevent health disparities across the intersecting conditions of substance abuse, violence, and HIV/AIDS (i.e., the SAVA syndemic) in Latinos. The proposed CLaRO will expand our central theme to include: (a) mental health (i.e., SAVA+MH) disparities affecting the Latino community and (b) implementation science. CLaRO will train early-stage investigators (ESI) to develop expertise in implementation science to accelerate implementation efforts of evidence-based interventions addressing SAVA+MH. We will train, mentor, and support ESIs across the translational pathway from preintervention and efficacy/effectiveness research to implementation science and practice. We propose a community-engaged, multidisciplinary, research training and mentorship program that is grounded in implementation science; meaningful collaborations with community stakeholders will be integrated into CLaRO activities. We will fund at least 3 new Pilot Projects each year for a total of $300,000 per year. Our Research Enhancement Program for Pilot Awardees and other ESI at UM and FIU will include (1) training on scientific topics relevant to the CLaRO theme, project management, and grantsmanship; (2) Implementation Science Exemplars Series presentations by established investigators; and (3) Network-enhancing activities that facilitate a culture of belonging for health disparities researchers. Through CLaRO’s Community/Scientific Advisory Board, we will integrate key community stakeholders in our investigator development and research dissemination efforts to ensure that results are translated into practice in affected communities. CLaRO will leverage existing research, training, and community engagement infrastructure at UM and FIU, and at associated NIH-funded centers and institutes, to create an environment that continues to promote scientific innovation, research excellence, career development, and community engagement.