Active Research Projects
The Bioethics Initiative for Equity in Health Care and Research
Principal Investigator: Janice A. Chilton, Dr.P.H.
Creating within the health care bioethics enterprise a diverse workforce capable of translating research findings into evidence-based policies and practices for improving health care and research equity is a central aim of the Bioethics Initiative. To do that, the initiative has trained bioethics postdoctoral fellows and interns in the principles of bioethics using clinical and didactic methods, helped them create and report research projects guided by mentors, and sought to enrich the curricula with attention to cultural competency, knowledge of health disparities, and an examination of participation in clinical trials by diverse populations.
Projects include the following:
- Racial and socioeconomic disparities in breast cancer clinical trial participation
- Body image perception and participation in clinical trials
- Factors related to patients, investigators, and studies that influence the enrollment and retention of minority populations in clinical and behavioral research as identified by research staff
- Influence of spirituality in clinical trial decision making among African-American men with prostate cancer
For more information, contact Dr. Janice Chilton at jchilton@mdanderson.org.
CAN DO Houston
Principal Investigator: Beverly Gor, Ed.D., William Baun, M.S., Christine Mei, Doug Earle, Evelyn Henry, Juan Gonzales, Nancy Murray, Ph.D.
CAN DO Houston is a holistic community-based initiative that aims to prevent and diminish childhood obesity in Houston and surrounding communities. Funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, CAN DO Houston listens to the needs of the community and addresses physical activity, nutrition, and healthy minds in the community, school, after-school, home, and work environments based on the needs of the community. The program utilizes existing resources and evidence-based practices and addresses gaps in services by enabling the broadest collaboration of individuals, institutions, and organizations. CAN DO Houston is a combined effort of the Mayor’s Wellness Council, Houston Wellness Association, and many community partners. For more information, please contact Dr. Beverly Gor at bjgor@mdanderson.org or Niiobli Armah at narmah@mdanderson.org.
Comparison of Hormone Levels and Dietary Habits Among African American and West African Women in Houston, Texas, and West African Women in Ibadan, Nigeria
Principal Investigator: Janice A. Chilton, Dr.P.H., M.P.H., M.A.
This study seeks to learn more about the hormone levels and dietary habits of African American and West African women in Houston, Texas, and West African women in Ibadan, Africa, in an effort to identify links to breast cancer risk. For more information, contact Dr. Janice Chilton at jchilton@mdanderson.org.
Enhancing Minority Participation in Clinical Trials (EMPaCT)
Principal Investigator: Lovell A. Jones, Ph.D., M.A.
This study involves a collaboration of 5 institutions. Each investigator is responsible for overseeing the conduct of activities at his/her regional center. The Region IV (Southwest) is located at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, an NIH-designated comprehensive cancer center.
The EMPaCT Program establishes a national consortium to enhance participation of underrepresented minorities in clinical trials. Consortium members—University of Minnesota, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Johns Hopkins University, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, and University of California-Davis—collaborate to develop, implement, and evaluate programs to promote participation in research studies across sites and minority populations. In Phase 1, qualitative and quantitative data assessments among faculty and staff at each institution were conducted to identify barriers to participation in clinical trials among minority patients. Based on results of the Phase 1 assessments, a menu of interventions or programs will be developed for implementation in Phase 2 with the aim of increasing minority participation in cancer clinical trials at each institution. For more information, contact Maria Berglund at 713-563-2756 or mberglund@mdanderson.org
End-of-Life Treatment Preferences of Latino Medicare Beneficiaries with Cancer
Principal Investigator: Isabel Torres, Dr.P.H., M.P.H.
The purpose of the study is to determine if declining functional status influences the end-of-life treatment preferences in Latino Medicare beneficiaries with cancer and how these preferences are modified by factors such as acculturation, health literacy, medical mistrust, provider ethnicity or the use of interpreters or patient navigators. Participants are 100 older Latino Medicare beneficiaries with breast, colorectal or prostate cancer, stage III or greater, and 100 without cancer from the greater Houston area who participated in the larger 4-year randomized Cancer Prevention and Treatment Demonstration Project (CPTD). Understanding the relationship between declining functional status and the treatment preferences of older Latinos with cancer has important clinical and policy implications, as findings could influence the use of written documents for advance care planning and inform the content and frequency of discussions that may be needed to capture changes in preferences triggered by changes in health status. We expect the study, which integrates palliative cancer care and health disparities research and applies prospective analytic methods to investigate a critical and understudied area, to make a significant contribution to cancer care research. For more information, contact Dr. Isabel Torres at istorres@mdanderson.org.
Establishing Comprehensive National Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities Research Centers of Excellence—PEACE (Project EXPORT, a Center of Excellence)
Principal Investigator: Lovell A. Jones, Ph.D., M.A.
Co-Investigator: Janice A. Chilton, Dr.P.H., M.P.H., M.A.
To identify and challenge environmental health issues in underserved communities, researchers are finding synergy by combining community outreach programs with basic, applied, and clinical research. For more information, contact Dr. Janice A. Chilton at jchilton@mdanderson.org.
Filipino Health Needs Assessment
Principal Investigator: Lovell A. Jones, Ph.D., M.A.
The aim of this study is to collect information on the health status, health behaviors, and attitudes towards of Filipino Americans in a four county area served by The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. This information will be used to develop educational programs and interventions that will help meet the cancer and health needs of this community. Additionally, the data will give direction to the research efforts of the CRMH and other health disparities researchers, local health planning agencies, and community based organizations. It will also aid in establishing the need for funding to support health programs targeted towards Filipino Americans’ health concerns. For more information, contact Dr. Beverly Gor at bjgor@mdanderson.org.
Health and Cancer Issues in the South Asian Community
Principal Investigator: Lovell A. Jones, Ph.D., M.A.
The overall objectives of this study are to assess the unmet health and cancer needs of the South Asian population in the Greater Houston area and to determine barriers and other factors that affect health in this population, so that we can address these issues by partnering with other researchers, public health and community organizations. Major emphasis will be placed on cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and other relevant health concerns, such as the use of complementary and alternative therapies. For more information, contact Dr. Beverly Gor at bjgor@mdanderson.org.
Houston Breast Cancer Taskforce (HBCTF)
Principal Investigator: Lovell A. Jones, Ph.D., M.A.
A comprehensive study of breast health preventive services for women, especially Hispanic and African American women in Harris County and surrounding areas. Twenty-four community agencies were represented as partners in the study, ranging from FQHCs to for-profit medical providers. Community subcommittees were formulated and assigned aims and a CHEER staff to act as subcommittee consultant to facilitate cohesiveness. The second phase of the study is to gain the community’s perception of availability, challenges, and successes and strategize for change through series of town hall meetings and focus groups. The final results of the surveys and community input from the town hall and focus groups will be provided to stakeholders, policy makers, community leaders and service providers to bridge the gap and make significant change in the lives of all women by the introduction appropriate of legislation and development of new community services and resources. For more information, contact Angel Tate at artate@mdanderson.org.
Mexican American Children Study
Principal Investigator: Lovell A. Jones, Ph.D., M.A.
Prevalence of Environmental and Genetic Risk Factors for Gastric Cancer in a Population of Mexican-American Children Residing in Texas, commonly known as the ‘The Mexican-American Children Study’ is actively recruiting mother-child dyads from Baytown and La Joya, Texas and their surrounding areas. The study investigates risk factors associated with gastric cancer in children/adolescents. Children of Mexican descent who are between the ages of 5 and 18 are eligible to participate. For more information, contact Leticia Gatus at laaguerr@mdanderson.org.
Ovarian Cancer and Nutrition Education Study (The ONE Study)
Principal Investigator: Lovell A. Jones, Ph.D., M.A.
An investigation of the role of diet in the quality of life of ovarian cancer survivors, measured through questionnaires, weight maintenance records, serum carotenoid levels (biomarkers of fruit and vegetable intake) and maintenance of a normal range of serum albumin levels. For more information, contact Maria Berglund at mberglund@mdanderson.org.
Physician Perceptions about Parenteral Hydration in Latin America and Spain: A Survey of Physicians Affiliated with the Latin American Association for Palliative Care (ALCP) and the Spanish Society for Palliative Care (SECPAL)
Principal Investigator: Isabel Torres, Dr.P.H., M.P.H.
The purpose of this cross-sectional online survey of palliative care physicians is to identify physician parenteral hydration prescribing-levels and the factors influencing their prescribing-levels for patients during their last weeks of life. Parenteral hydration at the end-of-life is very controversial and has been heatedly debated by healthcare professionals for decades. Practice patterns related to parenteral hydration at the end-of-life also vary and studies suggest that the beliefs of physicians about parenteral hydration significantly influence patient and family decisions. This is the first survey conducted in a large representative sample of physicians specializing in palliative care to describe and analyze physician parenteral hydration prescribing-patterns. Since these physicians are trained in palliative care and exposed daily to dehydration in end-of-life patients, assessing their parenteral hydration prescribing-patterns is key to understanding the management of dehydration at the end-of-life. Findings from this study will transcend the specialty of palliative medicine, and be relevant to all physicians delivering care to dying patients. For more information, contact Dr. Isabel Torres at istorres@mdanderson.org.
SECURE Gulf Coast
Principal Investigators:
- Lovell A. Jones, Ph.D., The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
- Maureen Lichtveld, M.D., M.P.H., Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana
- Alexandra B. Nolen, Ph.D., M.P.H., The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas
- W. Jarrard Goodwin, M.D., The University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
- Armin Weinberg, Ph.D., Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
- Patricia Matthews-Juarez, Ph.D., Meharry Medical College, Nashville, Tennessee
- Faith Foreman, Dr.P.H., City of Houston, Department of Health and Human Services, Houston, Texas
SECURE Gulf Coast is a NIH-funded center focused on disaster preparedness from a holistic perspective relevant to environmental effects and health outcomes, particularly with vulnerable and underserved populations. For example, communities living on our country’s Gulf Coast have faced decades of interdependent challenges directly affecting their individual health and that of their communities: lack of preparedness against natural and manmade disasters and the impact of those disasters on physical and mental health well-being; persistent health disparities specifically related to chronic health conditions such as cancer and asthma; and historically environmental contamination exacerbated by the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Ike. While progress has been made in documenting those challenges, the solutions to date have employed narrow, “silo-driven” research designs, lacked a community-based participatory approach, and failed to produce sustainable ecological, system-driven solution. SECURE brings together a remarkable array of academic leadership in a consortium of seven outstanding medical and public health institutions and centers. For more information please contact Dr. Denae King at dking@mdanderson.org.