October 15, 2007

Ana Núñez, MD, associate professor in the Department of Medicine and director of the Center of Excellence and Women's Health Education Program (WHEP) at Drexel University College of Medicine, has been awarded a three-year grant for $1.5 million by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Women's Health/Office of Public Health and Science. This grant, entitled the "Mind-Spirit-Body-Health Collaborative," will support a project with an ultimate goal of reducing gender and ethnic health disparities.

Núñez, serving as the principal investigator, will lead the team with the help of the project's director, Candace Robertson, MPH, research manager for WHEP. The team is a collaboration of experts from Drexel University College of Medicine, Drexel's School of Public Health, city government women's health specialists and community partnerships.

The project aims to improve health behaviors among Philadelphians by developing a community-based health education program where community partners recognize and recommend participants. These participants will be educated in health care topics and skills, then share the knowledge they've gained with members of their community.

Through this initiative, Núñez expects people will have a better awareness and knowledge of how to maintain healthier lifestyles. She says, "I hope that we can share culturally effective strategies to promote health as well as provide our trainees an opportunity to see the expertise and strength that community groups and organizations have when uniting in a common direction."

There are a number of DUCOM experts working with this project in heart health, diabetes care, women's health, primary care, cancer prevention, and pediatrics (including expertise in vulnerable youth, obesity prevention and asthma prevention). The Collaborative also has partnerships with Ob/Gyn and Family Medicine. Some of the community and city partners involved include the Police Athletic League, the True Vine Baptist Church, Broad Street Ministries, Mt. Ephraim Baptist Church, and the Philadelphia Department of Public Health.

For more information, contact the Women's Health Education Program at 215.991.8450.