A Research Foundation With a Mission

RCMI Mission, Goals, and Values

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The primary mission of the HEALTH Center for Addictions Research and Cancer Prevention is to strategically enhance the University of Houston's (UH) research infrastructure to advance health-equity science. We accelerate scientists' capacity to conduct cutting-edge research that informs novel prevention, early detection, diagnosis, and intervention strategies that mitigate a broad range of disparities in alcohol, tobacco, and other drug (ATOD) use while strategically preventing the development of cancer in underserved communities. Through equitable partnerships with our broad-based community coalition, we have a sustainable framework that supports the implementation of data-driven public health initiatives that are co-developed and embedded in the communities served.

The primary goals of the RCMI at UH are to:

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1. Nurture and accelerate NIH funding portfolios for scientists underrepresented in the health sciences;

2. Provide evidence-based group mentoring and career development opportunities for underrepresented minoritized (URM) postdocs and assistant professors; and

3. Eliminate the translational gap by rapidly ushering scientific breakthroughs into culturally-informed dissemination products (e.g., health education materials, workshops) and community-embedded interventions (e.g., health screenings, patient navigation, in-service training of paraprofessionals, prevention strategies, cost-effective treatments).

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Translating innovative science into health services that save lives and reduce disparities,

UH has committed financial support, personnel, partnerships, physical buildings, and faculty to make a collective impact on the health disparities affecting our neighboring communities.

ORGANIZATIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE