Collaborations
The Center for Community-Based Research and Health Disparities includes a multi-disciplinary group of investigators and community stakeholders. Partnerships have been established with the following community-based organizations to improve health and health outcomes among medically underserved populations.
Community Partners
Christ of Calvary Community Development Corporation
Through the Christ of Calvary Community Development Corporation, the 61st Council of Churches was organized in 2002. The purpose for organizing the eight congregations on 61st Street was to positively impact the West and Southwest Philadelphia community through spiritually enriched programs and other education based services. Although the eight congregations vary denominationally, they have collectively decided to work together to better serve the community. The motto for the Council is: "One Community, One Vision, One Church". The churches that make up the council are: Sayre Memorial United Methodist Church/Pastor Gertrude Duckett, Taylor Tabernacle/Pastor Lucille Ford, Open Heart Church/Pastor James Boone, Christian Compassion Church/Pastor Lonnie Herndon, Christ of Calvary Church/Pastor Rodney Rogers, Bible Fellowship Church/Pastor John Lewis, St. George & St. Barnabus Episcopal Church/Pastor James Wynn, and Celestial Church of Christ/Pastor Ola Odenyi. Since its development, the Council has pooled their human and financial resources together to support the ecumenical worship services to assist in building the spiritual fellowship and trust among parishioners and leadership of the West and Southwest Philadelphia communities. As part of these activities, the Council develops and plans health fairs and other community events to facilitate health promotion and disease prevention among residents.
Health Promotion Council of Southeastern Pennsylvania
http://www.hpcpa.org/
The Health Promotion Council of Southeastern Pennsylvania (HPC) is a non-profit, community-based organization that was created in 1981. HPC's mission is to promote health and prevent disease, especially among those at greatest risk through education, outreach, and advocacy. HPC provides services in 7 areas: disease management and prevention of hypertension and diabetes, nutrition education, physical activity, tobacco control, health communications, pediatric asthma, and breast and prostate cancer education. Approximately 30,000 people are reached by HPC per year in addition to the many thousands who are contacted through initiatives involving mass media.
Philadelphia Chapter of the National Black Leadership Initiative on Cancer
The Philadelphia Chapter of the National Black Leadership Initiative on Cancer (NBLIC) focuses on increasing cancer prevention and control activities to reduce cancer mortality in the African American population. The Chapter has about 100 members that include representatives of various health and human service organizations, health and human service professionals, other interested persons from the communities, and cancer survivors. The Chapter also has a core membership of about 25 volunteers who have been actively involved in community outreach and education activities for at least five years. The Chapter has worked with about 35 community-based organizations in Philadelphia, including churches, schools, primary care medical practices, and civic organizations. Chapter volunteers have participated in a wide range of cancer awareness and prevention activities, conducted seminars, and served on committees for program planning and network development.
Southwest Community Action Coalition
Established in 1996 by community residents who wanted a voice in matters that affected them, the Southwest Community Action Coalition (SWAC) is a trusted community resource that includes 30 community based organizations. SWAC is a part of a broader network of over 100 community organizations and churches, the Southwest Community Alliance. The mission of SWAC is to provide a vigilant network of communication that advocates for social justice, economic empowerment, political awareness, and environmental concerns of the African American Community in Southwest Philadelphia. Through its network, SWAC seeks to identify the needs and resources of the African American community in Southwest Philadelphia, improve linkages, create a common vision, advocate for sound public policy, and suggest strategies for implementation by neighborhood groups, agencies and residents. SWAC activities include outreach to SWAC members, block captains, churches, recreation centers, and health centers. As part of these activities, SWAC sponsors annual health events designed to promote disease prevention among community residents.
Academic Partners
The Center includes affiliates from the University of Pennsylvania with expertise in cancer prevention and control, psychology, public health, epidemiology, biostatistics, internal medicine, obesity prevention and control, and community-based research.
- Katrina Armstrong, MD
Department of Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine
- Scarlett Bellamy, ScD
Center for Clinical Epidemiology, Department of Biostatistics
- Marjorie Bowman, MD
Department of Community Medicine and Family Health, Center for Public Health Initiatives
- Susan Domchek, MD
Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology
- James C. Coyne, PhD
Department of Psychiatry
- Jerry C. Johnson, MD
Department of Medicine, Division of Geriatrics
- Shiriki Kumanyika, PhD
Center for Clinical Epidemiology
- Judy Shea, PhD
Department of Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine
- Andrea Troxel, ScD
Center for Clinical Epidemiology, Department of Biostatistics
