Community Engagement Initiative
Partnering with Researchers to Improve the Health of Women in the Community.
In our continued efforts to better the health of women in 2012 the Howell Foundation made a commitment to fund research partnerships between academic and community-based organizations. The goal of our Community Engagement Initiative (CEI) is to support these partnerships working collaboratively to develop and evaluate programs designed to improve women’s health. Our priority is to ensure the development of evidenced-informed projects that address relevant issues affecting women’s health within the greater San Diego community.
We are looking to advance women’s health in our community. Women and girls face many barriers to achieving and maintaining good health. These barriers can include such factors as a lack of resources or information, a lack of support from others for health, difficulty navigating a complicated health care system, lack of a safe and healthy environment, and policies that do not support health. Community-based organizations are often on the front lines of addressing these barriers and have strong relationships with community members. Thus, true partnerships between researchers and community organizations are critical to improving women’s health.
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2018 CEI Recipient
Sheila K Mody, MD MPH
Director, Fellowship in Family Planning
Director, Division of Family Planning
Dept of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences
University of California, San Diego
Project title: “Partnering with Refugee Women to Inform Culturally Appropriate Patient-Centered Reproductive Healthcare”
This project was a research collaboration between the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences at University of California, San Diego (UCSD), the Refugee Health Unit at the UCSD Center for Community Health, and United Women of East Africa Support Team (UWEAST). The purpose of this collaborative project was to explore reproductive health patient-provider interactions and adapt patient-centered reproductive health-counseling tools to be accessible, culturally sensitive, and appropriate for refugee women.
Additional Info on Community Engagement Initiatives in our blog
Howell Foundation addresses the influence of culture in family planning and reproductive health.
2017 CEI Recipient
Christina K. Holub, PhD, MPH
Assistant Professor
Master of Public Health Program
College of Education, Health and Human Services
California State University San Marcos
Project title: “Increasing Physical Activity through a Culturally Tailored, Community-led Intervention among Pacific Islanders: A Multi-Generational, Family-based Approach”
In an effort to determine how to increase the success of exercise programs for female Pacific Islanders, Dr. Holub tested the following intriguing hypothesis: a woman will comply with and succeed from a specific, culturally-designed exercise program if another family member participates in the program with her.
Additional Info on Community Engagement Initiatives in our blog
Howell's Community Engagement Initiative focuses on preventing weight gain and meditation
2016 CEI Recipient
Mary Barger PhD, MPH, CNM
Associate Professor
Hahn School of Nursing and Bob and Betty Institute for Nursing Research
University of San Diego
Project title: “Reducing Insomnia in Homeless Women with the Mantram Repetition Program”
The fastest-growing segment of the homeless population are women, and families headed by women. Dr. Barger tested The Mantram Repetition Program (MantramRP), a portable meditation-based program that teaches the frequent, silent, intermittent repetition of a self-selected word would help reduce insomnia in homeless women.
The portability of the MantramRP allows women to use the intervention anywhere and anytime. Improving insomnia and physiological and psychological stress symptoms could improve overall health, potentially lowering use of costly care. The ease of teaching the intervention allow for its incorporation into existing homeless program nationally.
Additional Info on Community Engagement Initiatives in our blog
Howell's Community Engagement Initiative focuses on preventing weight gain and meditation
2015 CEI Recipient
H. Irene Su, MD MSCE
Reproductive Endocrinologist
Associate Professor of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences
University of California, San Diego
Project title: “Developing a Reproductive Health Intervention for Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Survivors”
Dr. Su’s project aimed to develop and pilot test a web-based survivorship care plan to improve reproductive health issues such as fertility and pregnancy for adolescent and young adult women who have had cancer. Dr. Su partnered with the community organization, Stupid Cancer and worked with patient advocates and other UC San Diego cancer research and clinical faculty to conduct this study.
Additional Info on Community Engagement Initiatives in our blog
Howell Foundation Awards Grant to Develop Resources for Young Cancer Survivors.
2014 CEI Recipient
Hala Madanat, Ph.D.
Professor,
Division of Health Promotion & Behavioral Science
SDSU Graduate School of Public Health
Project title: “Intuitive Eating Intervention to Curb Weight Gain in Female College Students”
Dr. Madanat’s project explored weight gain in young women during their first year of college known as the “freshman fifteen”. Her project was conducted in partnership with the SDSU Student Health Services.
Additional Info on Community Engagement Initiatives in our blog
Howell Foundation Awards Second Grant for Community Health-Focused Research
2013 CEI Recipient
Elva Arredondo, PhD.
Professor,
Division of Health Promotion and Behavioral Sciences
Graduate School of Public Health
San Diego State University
Project title: “Promoting Physical Activity and Healthy Eating among Pregnant Latinas: A Demonstration Project”
Dr. Arredondo’s project was to pilot test the impact of a physical activity intervention on the physical activity practices of pregnant Latinas. It involved a partnership with the local Women Infant and Children program (WIC).
Additional Info on Community Engagement Initiatives in our blog
Community Engagement Initiative first Award -How much exercise do Latina women get during pregnancy?
