Only one percent of substance abuse treatment facilities in the US allow parents in treatment to keep custody of their children, despite research that proves successful recovery hinges on holding families together.
To address the issue… Read more
Southwest Health Equity Research Collaborative
NAU researchers study effects of COVID-19, health disparities on caregivers of people with ADRD
More than 6 million people in the US live with Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD), and more than 16 million family members provide the bulk of their care. In rural areas, where caregivers already have difficulty accessing health and support services because of health disparities, COVID-19-related isolation is exacerbating the intense responsibilities of these unpaid caregivers and potentially contributing to their stress, anxiety, depression and physical health.
To address… Read more
RIC research during COVID-19
The Research Infrastructure Core (RIC) for the Southwest Health Equity Research Collaborative has a team of nine researchers, each with a full list of projects that they are responsible for. Though none of the researchers have halted their work, they have had to adjust to life working from home during the COVID-10 pandemic, which began more than a month ago.
(Photo by Dr. Steven Barger, professor in… Read more De Heer addresses childhood obesity
In summer, elementary and middle school students seem to have unlimited time for outdoor exercise and exploration––long, sunny days free from classes or cold weather to keep them indoors.
But through three years of research, Hendrik “Dirk” de Heer found that weight gain among the highest risk students is highest in the summer months when there are no fitness programs available through schools and many families cannot afford… Read more
NAU investigators study childhood caries in Hawaii
Nationally, rates of early childhood caries, or tooth decay, among Hispanic, American Indian, Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander children are almost double those of white children, making it the most prevalent chronic disease among these populations—occurring five times as frequently as asthma.
Researchers at… Read more
SHERC awards $180,000 to fund pilot projects focused on health equity
NAU News Feature
January 28, 2020
Northern Arizona University’s Southwest Health Equity Research Collaborative (SHERC) awarded Pilot Project Program research grants totaling $180,000 to four NAU junior faculty investigators conducting health equity research in the areas of biomedical, behavioral and clinical sciences.
This year’s award recipients are Naomi Lee, an assistant professor in… Read more