The University of Washington Health Promotion Research Center (UW HPRC) collaborates with communities to conduct research on a broad range of health promotion topics, including healthy aging, cancer prevention and control, workplace health, physical activity, depression management, and brain health.<\/p>\n
Investigators who lead a research project are known as principal investigators in the research community.<\/p>\n
You will find a selection of our current<\/strong> projects organized by these categories: <\/p>\n \nDates:<\/strong> Jan 1, 2024 – Dec 31, 2024<\/p>\n Overview:<\/strong> Partner with Neighborhood House to integrate culturally responsive mental health care into community-based social services. Focused on Somali community members in King County, the project seeks to address gaps in mental health care accessibility and to reduce stigma through community-centered approaches, and to provide evidence for future expansion of culturally and linguistically appropriate services. <\/p>\n Funding:<\/strong> University of Washington Population Health Initiative, $25,000 and University of Washington ALACRITY Center, $50,000<\/p>\n Principal Investigator:<\/strong> Najma Mohamed and Lesley Steinman<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \nDates:<\/strong> Sept 1, 2023 – Aug 31, 2025<\/p>\n Overview:<\/strong> This project involves coordinating with partners at the ACL and National Council on Aging, participating in the Research Advisory Committee with experts in fall prevention research and practice, and facilitating the RFP process for sub-awardees. Responsibilities include providing guidance on sub-award development, assisting with falls prevention taxonomy development, and emphasizing equity and diversity in the application review criteria. <\/p>\n Funding:<\/strong> Administration on Community Living (ACL), $15,000<\/p>\n Principal Investigator:<\/strong> Marlana Kohn<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \nDates:<\/strong> Sept 30, 2021 – Sept 29, 2025<\/p>\n Overview:<\/strong> Reduce the barriers to the physical exercise people with arthritis need by evaluating the effectiveness of online delivery for Enhance\u00aeFitness<\/a> \u2014 a community-based, group exercise program for older adults. With all the information gathered throughout the project, the research team will work with their partners to create a toolkit for organizations to provide Enhance\u00aeFitness online.<\/p>\n Funding:<\/strong> U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), $1.2 million<\/p>\n Principal Investigator:<\/strong> Kushang Patel<\/a><\/p>\n LEARN MORE<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n \nDates:<\/strong> Jun 1, 2020 \u2013 Mar 31, 2025<\/p>\n Overview:<\/strong> Conduct research to keep older adults with dementia involved in decision-making by better understanding their decision-making processes and creating a novel tool to identify preferences related to transitions in care.<\/p>\n Funding:<\/strong> National Institute on Aging, $3.3 million<\/p>\n Principal Investigator:<\/strong> Anne Turner<\/a><\/p>\n LEARN MORE<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n \nDates:<\/strong> Sept 30, 2019 – Sept 29, 2025<\/p>\n Overview:<\/strong> Expand the Program to Encourage Active, Rewarding Lives (PEARLS)<\/a> with underserved populations by partnering with organizations that are already serving and doing work with these communities. The ultimate goal is to help provide equitable access to depression care. Priority populations for the study include older adults who are experiencing poverty, are community members of color, have limited-English proficiency, and\/or live in rural areas.<\/p>\n Funding:<\/strong> U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately $1.5 million<\/p>\n Principal Investigator:<\/strong> Mark Snowden<\/a><\/p>\n LEARN MORE<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n \nDates:<\/strong> Ongoing<\/p>\n Overview:<\/strong> Partner with Sound Generations to disseminate and evaluate Enhance\u00aeFitness<\/a>, an evidence-based physical activity program for older adults.<\/p>\n Funding:<\/strong> U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)<\/p>\n Principal Investigator:<\/strong> Marlana Kohn<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \nDates:<\/strong> Ongoing<\/p>\n Overview:<\/strong> Collaborate with local, state, and national partners to disseminate the Program to Encourage Active, Rewarding Lives (PEARLS)<\/a> to improve late-life depression.<\/p>\n Funding:<\/strong> U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)<\/p>\n Principal Investigator:<\/strong> Lesley Steinman<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n \nDates:<\/strong> Ongoing<\/p>\n Overview:<\/strong> Disseminate the Rapid Assessment of Physical Activity (RAPA)<\/a>, an instrument to measure physical activity among older adults.<\/p>\n Funding:<\/strong> U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)<\/p>\n Principal Investigator:<\/strong> Kristen Hammerback<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n \nDates:<\/strong> May 10, 2023 – Feb 29, 2028<\/p>\n Overview:<\/strong> Address roadblocks to cancer genomic testing by revising and evaluating two population management interventions: web resources and personalized outreach. Each intervention will be tested within a vertically integrated health system and a federally qualified health center. This project will help provide clinicians with essential data and tools to address gaps in post-testing quality and patient safety, further advancing preventive genomic medicine.<\/p>\n Funding:<\/strong> National Human Genome Research Institute, $4,430,000<\/p>\n Principal Investigator:<\/strong> Sarah Knerr<\/a> <\/p>\n<\/div>\n \nDates:<\/strong> Mar 1, 2023 – Feb 29, 2025<\/p>\n Overview:<\/strong> Examine methods to increase cancer screening among limited English-proficient populations by building the capacity of community health workers in community-based organizations to select, adapt, and implement evidence-based interventions for cancer prevention and control.<\/p>\n Funding:<\/strong> Andy Hill CARE Fund, $250,000<\/p>\n Principal Investigator:<\/strong> Linda Ko<\/a> <\/p>\n<\/div>\n \nDates:<\/strong> Jun 30, 2022 – Jun 29, 2025<\/p>\n Overview:<\/strong> Provide evaluation and implementation technical assistance to Washington State Department of Health in support of the Breast, Cervical, and Colon Health Program, along with the Washington Comprehensive Cancer Control Program\u2019s HPV, colorectal cancer, tobacco cessation, and community health worker activities. Support health system partners\u2019 implementation of evidence-based interventions to increase breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer screening.<\/p>\n Funding:<\/strong> Washington State Department of Health (DOH), $1,546,655<\/p>\n Principal Investigator:<\/strong> Peggy Hannon<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n \nDates:<\/strong> Sept 30, 2020 – Sept 29, 2025<\/p>\n Overview:<\/strong> Support cancer screening efforts by testing the validity and reliability of cancer screening questions that allow the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to measure the nation\u2019s progress toward screening goals for breast, cervical, colorectal, and lung cancers. During this study, researchers will evaluate current cancer screening history questions in the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention\u2019s National Health Interview Survey. Because there is a high level of evidence that timely and appropriate cancer screening reduces morbidity and mortality from some cancers, knowing whether national screening goals are being met could help save lives by helping the government redirect resources that would increase screening in promising populations.<\/p>\n Funding:<\/strong> U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), $1.8 million<\/p>\n Principal Investigator:<\/strong> Larry Kessler<\/a> \nDates:<\/strong> Apr 1, 2023 – Dec 31, 2024<\/p>\n Overview:<\/strong> Identify small Latino businesses\u2019 key barriers and facilitators to adopting and implementing cancer prevention and screening interventions using mixed methods, and adapt, and pilot-test Connect to Wellness toolkits with Latino-owned businesses in collaboration with community partners including Latino business owners and employees. <\/p>\n Funding:<\/strong> Fred Hutchinson, University of Washington, and Seattle Children\u2019s Cancer Consortium, $152,331<\/p>\n Principal Investigator:<\/strong> Barbara Baquero<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n \nDates:<\/strong> Ongoing<\/p>\n Overview:<\/strong> Provide training and networking opportunities to promote worksite health in Washington state.<\/p>\n Funding:<\/strong> U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)<\/p>\n Principal Investigator:<\/strong> Kristen Hammerback<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n \nDates:<\/strong> Dec 1, 2021 – Jul 31, 2025<\/p>\n Overview:<\/strong> Refine and beta-test a nicotine metabolite ratio-informed pharmacologic intervention to optimize design and participation within a tobacco cessation program, 2) Conduct a single-arm pilot trial assessing the acceptability and feasibility of the refined intervention, and 3) Examine factors which impede or facilitate implementation of the intervention within the Alaska Native tribal health system.<\/p>\n Funding:<\/strong> Native American Research Centers for Health Program, National Institutes of Health, $1,399,742<\/p>\n Principal investigator:<\/strong> Jeff Harris<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n \nDates:<\/strong> Jan 1, 2022 \u2013 Dec 31, 2026<\/p>\n Overview: <\/strong>Evaluate the strength of the community Piece County Local Impact Network and oral health intervention projects. The goal is to measure the effect of the interventions and improvements in oral health and oral health equity in Pierce County, Washington. The Pierce County Local Impact Network is a collaborative community effort supported by the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department Centers for Excellence and the Arcora Foundation.<\/p>\n Funding:<\/strong> Arcora Foundation, $145,800<\/p>\n Principal Investigators: <\/strong>Marlana Kohn<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \nDates:<\/strong> Jul 1, 2021 \u2013 Dec 31, 2024 <\/p>\n Overview:<\/strong> Support evaluation of evidence-based programs provided by various local organizations in King County, Washington. This project is supported by the King County Veterans, Seniors, and Human Services Levy (VSHSL).<\/p>\n Funding:<\/strong> Sound Generations, $188,500<\/p>\n Principal Investigators: <\/strong>Marlana Kohn<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \nDates:<\/strong> Apr 15, 2021 – Mar 31, 2025<\/p>\n Overview:<\/strong> Evaluate how effective COVID-19 testing, safety measures, and communications around COVID-19 can be at safely increasing in-person attendance for elementary schools, especially those serving Latino community members. This study may also contribute to vaccination efforts when a COVID-19 vaccine for youth and children is available.<\/p>\n Funding:<\/strong> National Institutes of Health (NIH), $4 million<\/p>\n Principal Investigators: <\/strong>Linda Ko<\/a> (previously included Helen Chu<\/a>) Can’t find something? Check out projects we have completed.<\/p>\n\n
Older Adult Health Promotion<\/h1>\n
Community Codesign to Integrate Low-Barrier, Culturally and Linguistically Responsive Mental Health Care into Community-Based Social Services <\/h2>\n
Administration on Community Living (ACL) - Fall Prevention Innovation Lab<\/h2>\n
Delivery of Enhance\u00aeFitness Trial (DEFT)<\/h2>\n
Decision-Making in Alzheimer\u2019s Research (DMAR)<\/h2>\n
PEARLS Equity: Expanding Access to Depression Care for Underserved Older Adults<\/h2>\n
Enhance\u00aeFitness Dissemination<\/h2>\n
PEARLS Dissemination<\/h2>\n
Rapid Assessment of Physical Activity (RAPA) Dissemination<\/h2>\n
Cancer Prevention & Control<\/h1>\n
Care-Coordination for Hereditary Cancer Syndromes (CARE-HCS)<\/h2>\n
Implementation Studio<\/h2>\n
Evaluation & Technical Assistance for Washington State\u2019s Cancer Programs<\/h2>\n
Validity & Reliability of the Redesigned National Health Interview Survey<\/h2>\n
\nLEARN MORE<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nWorkplace Wellness<\/h1>\n
Partnering with Latino-Owned Businesses to Advance Health Equity through Cancer Prevention and Control<\/h2>\n
Healthy Worksite Summit<\/h2>\n
Additional Health Promotion Projects<\/h1>\n
QUIT Project<\/h2>\n
Evaluation of Pierce County Local Impact Network (LIN) Programs<\/h2>\n
Technical Support for Older Adult Health Promotion Programs in King County, Washington<\/h2>\n
ReOpening Schools Safely and Educating Youth (ROSSEY)<\/h2>\n
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