The Arizona Prevention Resource Center (AzPRC) has been awarded a federal grant of $7.5 million to continue its research into illnesses that affect undeserved communities in Arizona. According to UANEWS, the University of Arizona's news website, the AzPRC grant will enable research into many more preventable illnesses.
A statement on the website by the Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health outlined the work that will be accomplished because of the grant:
"To further its mission, the AzPRC has received a $7.5 million, five-year award from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the CDC award will allow the center to continue critical collaborations with community health workers and their organizations in Pima, Maricopa, Yuma, Santa Cruz and Cochise counties, in addition to expanding engagement with community health representatives in tribal communities," the post read.
The AzPRC has been funded since 1994 and focuses on development, training, improving the community and illuminating research. According to the post, one of the most important elements of the research is training and educating social health workers to implement the findings within the community. Important collaborations that are strengthened by the funding with those who work with Tribal Communities give the research and programs the ability to expand as well.
The research is led by Carvajal and Ada Wilkinson-Lee and covers diseases like Type 2 diabetes, cancer and heart disease. These diseases are among the most costly preventable diseases in the country.
"The researchers at the Arizona Prevention Research Center are leaders at the scientific forefront of translating and implementing evidence-based programs," said University of Arizona President Robert C. Robbins in the post. "As a physician I am inspired by their mission to find community-driven solutions for the prevention of chronic disease to improve the lives of Arizonans and provide a model that other prevention research centers can replicate.”
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