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Population Health Initiative
Phone: (305) 348-5197
Email: pophealth@fiu.edu
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Office of Research & Economic Development
11200 SW 8th Street, MARC 473-A
Miami, FL 33199
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Health Disparities Initiative
FIU’s the Population Health Initiative (PHI) and the Health Disparities Initiative (HDI) are leveraging strengths to enhance population health. FIU-HDI was founded in 2016 through an S21 Endowment award from the National Institute of Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD; Award #S21MD010683). In 2023, the FIU-HDI received a 5-year renewal award to continue and expand research/training efforts at FIU. FIU-HDI aims to strengthen and sustain FIU’s capacity for community-engaged health disparities research and training. Specifically, the FIU-HDI focuses on training the next generations of public health, clinical, biomedical, and behavioral researchers at FIU’s Robert Stempel College of Public Health & Social Work (Stempel College) and Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine (HWCOM) to address health disparities and advance health equity among underserved populations in South Florida and the Caribbean.
The Florida International University Health Disparities Initiative (FIU-HDI) was founded in 2016 through an S21 Endowment award from the National Institute of Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD; Award #S21MD010683). In 2023, the FIU-HDI received a 5-year renewal award to continue and expand research/training efforts at FIU. FIU-HDI aims to strengthen and sustain FIU’s capacity for community-engaged health disparities research and training. Specifically, the FIU-HDI focuses on training next generations of public health, clinical, biomedical, and behavioral researchers at FIU’s Robert Stempel College of Public Health & Social Work (Stempel College) and Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine (HWCOM) to address health disparities and advance health equity among underserved populations in South Florida and the Caribbean.
FIU Health Disparities Initiative Primary Components
Component #1
Providing transdisciplinary training in health disparities research. The FIU-HDI has established a Major in Health Disparities for Public Health doctoral students. Graduate students across Stempel College, along with students in Biomedical Sciences at HWCOM, can also supplement their degrees with a Graduate Certificate in Health Disparities.
Component #1
Providing transdisciplinary training in health disparities research. The FIU-HDI has established a Major in Health Disparities for Public Health doctoral students. Graduate students across Stempel College, along with students in Biomedical Sciences at HWCOM, can also supplement their degrees with a Graduate Certificate in Health Disparities.
Component #2
Post-Doctoral Training Program that provides post-doctoral associates with training, mentoring, and professional development opportunities in their chosen focus area with the goal of becoming independent health disparities researchers.
Component #2
Post-Doctoral Training Program that provides post-doctoral associates with training, mentoring, and professional development opportunities in their chosen focus area with the goal of becoming independent health disparities researchers.
Component #3
HWCOM Research Scholarship course to train next generations of physicians to understand the role of social and cultural determinants of health in the diagnosis, treatment, and care of patients in vulnerable and underserved communities.
Component #3
HWCOM Research Scholarship course to train next generations of physicians to understand the role of social and cultural determinants of health in the diagnosis, treatment, and care of patients in vulnerable and underserved communities.
Since its inception, the FIU-HDI has provided training to 40 doctoral, postdoctoral, and medical students. Facilitated by the recent renewal award, the FIU-HDI’s scope (i.e., HIV, substance abuse, obesity) now includes health disparities in communicable and non-communicable conditions affecting South Florida and the Caribbean region. Through the renewal award, FIU-HDI will provide transdisciplinary training in health disparities research to: 24 doctoral students, 6 postdoctoral fellows, and numerous cohorts of medical students from underrepresented backgrounds. FIU-HDI efforts will have a direct impact in reducing the disproportionate rates of health disparities affecting vulnerable, underserved populations in South Florida and the Caribbean region. The FIU-HDI includes students and faculty from diverse and underrepresented backgrounds, which will enhance diversity in the health disparities workforce.
Principal Investigators
Andres G. Gil: Contact Principal Investigator,
Senior Vice President for Research & Economic Development, and Dean of the University Graduate School; Professor, Robert Stempel College of Public Health & Social Work
Mario De La Rosa: Principal Investigator,
Distinguished University Professor, Endowed University Professor in Health Equity; Director, Center for Research on US Latino HIV/AIDS and Drug Abuse, Robert Stempel College of Public Health & Social Work
Additional FIU-HDI Key Personnel
Mariana Sanchez: Program Director, Health Disparities Concentration Doctoral Program,
Associate Professor, Department of Health Promotion & Disease Prevention, Robert Stempel College of Public Health and Social Work
Stephen Black: Program Coordinator, Doctoral Program in Biomedical Sciences,
Associate Dean for Research at Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine; Endowed University Professor in Pulmonary Biology in Underserved Communities; Director, FIU Center for Translational Science, and; Chair of Cellular Biology and Pharmacology
Diana Sheehan: Professor and Mentor, Health Disparities Concentration Doctoral Program,
Assistant Professor, Department of Epidemiology, Robert Stempel College of Public Health & Social Work
Elena Bastida, Professor and Mentor, Health Disparities Concentration Doctoral Program,
Professor, Department of Health Promotion & Disease Prevention, Robert Stempel College of Public Health and Social Work
Patria Rojas, Instructional Faculty, Health Disparities Concentration Doctoral Program,
Associate Professor, Department of Health Promotion & Disease Prevention, Robert Stempel College of Public Health and Social Work
Noel Barengo: Coordinator, Research Scholarship Course,
Associate Professor, Translational Medicine at Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Health Policy & Management at Robert Stempel College of Public Health & Social Work
Juan Lozano: Director, Research Scholarship Course,
Chief, Division of Medical and Population Health Sciences, Education and Research, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine
Award Details
Funding Agency:
National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD)
Award Number:
S21MD010683
Initial Award Year: 2016
Renewal Award Year: 2023
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