Health Promotion Research Center

The University of Washington Health Promotion Research Center (UW HPRC) is making an impact across the country and our home-state of Washington. Our researchers collaborate with community partners to promote the health and well-being of middle-aged and older adults, particularly those with lower incomes and/or in underserved populations who are more likely to experience health disparities.

Our research includes a broad range of health promotion topics, including healthy aging, cancer prevention and control, workplace health, physical activity, depression management, and brain health.

Our Impact

Below is some of our impact and reach across the country and Washington state through 2022.

PEARLS: Older Adult Health Promotion & Mental Health

The Program to Encourage Active, Rewarding Lives (PEARLS) is a late-life depression care management program for older adults that combines education about depression, coordination with primary care physicians, and skill building for happier, healthier, and more independent lives.

PEARLS Reach

National

12,576+ older adults
179 organizations
30 states

Washington State

2,066+ older adults
16 organizations
7 counties

Washington state map with six counties colored in purple to represent PEARLS being there.

“I was suffering bitterly. I was very depressed. I had lost my zeal for life. Now my depression has diminished. I’m ready to face life’s challenges.”

– Yolanda, PEARLS participant

LEARN MORE

Enhance®Fitness: Older Adult Health Promotion & Physical Activity

Enhance®Fitness is a community-based exercise program for older adults at all fitness levels to become more active, energized, and empowered to sustain independent lives.

Enhance®Fitness Reach

National

104,330+ people
1,558 in-person sites, 45 remote sites
474 organizations
47 states + D.C.

Washington State

20,483 people
184 in-person sites, 16 remote sites
93 organizations
18 counties

Washington state map with 18 counties colored in red to represent EnhanceFitness.

“Since participating in the exercise program, I am able to get up and out of the tub using only one arm … I can now do more household chores than previously.”

– Enhance®Fitness participant

LEARN MORE

Workplace Wellness

Connect to Wellness is a workplace wellness program that provides support for Washington state’s small and midsize employers in their efforts to create healthier workplaces.

Connect to Wellness Reach

National

43,372 employees
233 companies
15 states

Washington State

38,425 employees
210 companies
11 counties

Washington state map with 11 counties colored in orange to represent Connect to Wellness.

“This program really works. It’s one-stop shopping for everything a worksite needs to hit the health behaviors most relevant to improving employee well-being.”

– Kitsap Public Health District staff member

LEARN MORE

Cancer Prevention & Control

Our goal is to reduce the burden of cancer, particularly for low-income and/or underserved populations who are more likely to experience health disparities. We participate in the CDC Cancer Prevention and Control Research Network through the regional collaboration known as the Alliance for Reducing Cancer, Northwest (ARC NW). This alliance is based at the UW Health Promotion Research Center, although its members and partners are from multiple regional organizations.

Alliance for Reducing Cancer, Northwest Reach

Washington State

130,700+ patients
100+ health centers
20 counties

Washington state map with 20 counties colored in blue to represent Cancer Prevention and Control efforts.

LEARN MORE