In September 2009, UC Merced was awarded a program grant by the NIH’s National Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities (now NIMHD) to develop a Center of Excellence for the study of health disparities in the Central Valley.
The goals of the Center of Excellence on Health Disparities In the Ethnic and Rural Underserved (COEHD) were to:
- Increase the number of students who are knowledgeable about health disparities;
- Improve the numbers of students from under-represented and disadvantaged groups performing research in health disparities; and
Expand the capacity and competence of UC Merced in conducting health sciences research that address health disparities in the region.
Consistent with these goals, the activities focused on: Providing educational opportunities in public health with a focus on health disparities for the campus as well as local community in the form of a minor in Public Health, Public lecture series, Engaging selected undergraduates in intensive health sciences research training, Supporting selected graduate students conducting mentored research relevant to health disparities, and Developing community partnerships for health promotion, disease prevention, and health sciences research.
To read more on undergraduate and graduate student projects completed through the COEHD, see the Education and Training page.
