Marizaida Sánchez Cesáreo1,2, José Rodríguez Orengo3, Jean C. Meléndez-González5, Mayra L. Roubert Rivera1,4, Loyda Méndez Torres6, Christine Miranda Diaz1,7, Yashira M. Sánchez Colón1,4, and Carlamarie Noboa1   (Presenting Author: Edna Acosta Pérez1,2)
1Hispanic Alliance Clinical and Translational Research, University of Puerto Rico Medical Science Campus, San Juan, PR, 2Graduate School of Public Health, University of Puerto Rico Medical Science Campus, San Juan, PR, 3 Department of Biochemistry, University of Puerto Rico Medical Science Campus, San Juan, PR, 4Public Health Program, Ponce Health Sciences University, Ponce Research Institute-Ponce Medical School Foundation, Inc., Ponce, PR, 5Nexos Group, Inc., Rochester, NY, 6Universidad Ana G. Mendez Recinto de Carolina, Carolina, PR, 7Institute of Research, Education, and Services in Addiction (IRESA), Internal Medicine Department, Universidad Central del Caribe, Bayamón, PR

Introduction/Background. This presentation highlights the collaborative efforts of the Puerto Rico INBRE (PRAABRE) & IDeA-CTR (The Alliance) longstanding awardees, a group of prominent institutions, along with a consortium of multisectoral leaders forming the Community Health & Research Council. Our team comprises diverse professionals, including epidemiologists, public health experts, psychologists, and more, all dedicated to bridging the gap between research, evidence, and community health.

Hypothesis/Goal of Study. The PRAABRE expects to enhance and strengthen the scientific infrastructure and research competitiveness of the Commonwealth in three specific research areas deemed to be key to advancing Puerto Rico's biomedical and behavioral research capacity and promoting the development of research skills of talented junior investigators and gifted students, while The Alliance's is to catalyze and enhance clinical and translational research in Puerto Rico, with a focus on prevalent diseases and the medically underserved.

Methods and Results. Several strategies recommended in the Implementation and Dissemination Science and Community Engagement models have been implemented. We have focused in involving stakeholders, students and junior/mid career researchers from various sectors (e.g. Team Science, Citizen Science, Community Forums, Training, Practice Based Network). From 2020 to 2023, our efforts have supported 318 studies, with varying levels of impact across the translational spectrum (T0 7.9%, T1 35.8%, T2 29.9%, T3 19.2%, T4 7.2%). We have seen a significant increment in community studies, reflecting our commitment to community-based research; Industry Studies increased by 15%, and Community Studies increased by 17% from in 3 years. Innovations identified in our approach involves transdisciplinarity, virtual community engagement, and multilevel strategies for structural changes in policy, practice, and program. Identified challenges included funding limitations for multidisciplinary approaches and the time and effort required to execute structural changes.

Discussion/Conclusions. Implementation and Dissemination Science presents a transformative approach to address health disparities and promote health equity. By embracing translational research and fostering collaboration through Team Science, we accelerate the translation of research findings into impactful interventions for population health. The Community Partnerships to Advance Science for Society (ComPASS) Program and the BUILD Health Challenge are significant initiatives that could support the continuation of engaging communities in the research process, ensuring relevant and sustainable interventions. Through their synergy, Implementation, and Dissemination Science reach its full potential, fostering community partnerships and addressing health disparities at their roots. Our commitment to scientific rigor, cultural sensitivity, and community engagement drives positive changes in public health, advancing equitable health outcomes and quality care for all, including medically underserved communities.

Grant/Funding Support. The Hispanic Alliance for Clinical and Translational Research (Alliance) National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)–National Institute of Health under Award Number U54GM133807; Puerto Rico Alliance for the Advancement of Biomedical Research Excellence (PRAABRE): Advancing Competitive Biomedical Research in Puerto Rico (P20GM103475-19).

Mississippi State Department of Health Office of Community Health and Clinical Services, Jackson, MS

Introduction/Background. Mississippi is one of the states hit the hardest by existing health inequalities. Minority populations, especially African Americans, Hispanics/Latinos, and American Indians, are disproportionately affected. In order to reverse these inequalities, the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) is engaged in providing culturally, linguistically, and literacy-appropriate information related to several health outcomes such as Covid-19, Cardiovascular Diseases, T2D, Cancer, and more recently, general population precision medicine, through different strategies including MSDH Website and training community agents serving in multiple capacities.

Hypothesis/Goal of Study. The goals of this initiative are to: a) conduct a collaborative learning series to develop and implement culturally and linguistically appropriate protocols and skills; b) conveying needed health information and education; c) define the roles of community agents to help provide equitable health care; and, d) implement strategic mediation and role identity.

Methods. MSDH delivers this community outreach effort through the utilization of several tools, including but not limited to a high-quality community agent training program as a collaborative learning effort conceived as a fundamental strategy to encourage the participation of marginalized communities, provide health literacy, ensure equitable health care delivery, and ultimately, to look for the elimination of health disparities. Also, minority communities are engaged through several other methodologies using cultural and linguistic factors as the main driving factors, assuming a low health literacy overall.

Results. Trained community agents have served in many events organized by the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) across the State, including assisting with the enrollment of members in the community on a precision medicine study. This particular precision medicine study does not provide any medical care but does provide individual reports back to the participants. Participants receive a DNA and ancestry report, a hereditary disease risk report, and a pharmacogenomic report.

Discussion/Conclusions. The health inequalities crisis highlights the need for more significant investment in Mississippi public health and social services. By addressing cultural, linguistic, and literacy barriers, we help protect all Mississippians from the devastating consequences of inequalities and becomes an excellent way to rebuild the community's trust on governmental interventions. The Mississippi State Department of Health uses all engaging opportunities to address linguistic accessibility to healthcare, troubleshooting resources, and health education to minority communities.

College of Nursing and Health Professions, The University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS, Mississippi INBRE Community Engagement and Training Core

Introduction/Background. Community engagement has become more important in the grant world to maximize the broader impacts of proposed/funded research and to address complex, priority health issues in underserved communities and states. IDeA programs offer opportunities, resources and infrastructure that may be leveraged to support community engaged research.

Hypothesis/Goal of Study. The goal of this presentation is to share case studies that demonstrate how INBRE community engagement infrastructure may be leveraged to support successful grantsmanship.

Methods and Results. The presentation will include an overview of community engagement activities in the context of built research infrastructure. Three externally funded research projects that leveraged INBRE community engagement infrastructure will also be described.

Discussion/Conclusions. Community engagement is a continuum of community involvement that may be tailored to a research projects needs. IDeA programs are well positioned to maintain relationships with the most underserved and unreached populations in the US. Similar to physical infrastructure, community engagement infrastructure must be built and maintained to support the biomedical and behavioral sciences research continuum.

Grant/Funding Support. Mississippi INBRE Award#P20GM103476, NSF Award#2316351, NHLBI Award#R56HL1643351; ComPASS Award#OT2