Center for Health Equity Research

The Center for Health Equity Research at Whittier Street Health Center, Frederica M. Williams Building, advances community-centered research, clinical innovation, and strategic partnerships to eliminate health disparities and expand equitable access to medical innovation. The Center leads investigator-initiated, implementation, behavioral, and community-participatory research while partnering with biotechnology, academic, public health, and community organizations to ensure that historically underserved populations are represented in the research that shapes health care. Through strong research infrastructure, trusted community relationships, and evidence-based action, the Center improves care delivery, informs policy and practice, and strengthens health outcomes for the communities Whittier serves.

Vision: To become a leading community-based health equity research center that helps to eliminate preventable disparities in health outcomes, expands equitable access to medical innovation, and ensures that historically underserved communities are represented, respected, and benefited in the research that shapes health care.

Mission: The Center for Health Equity Research leads community-centered research, clinical innovation, and strategic partnerships that improve health outcomes for historically underserved populations. The Center develops and implements investigator-initiated research, implementation science, behavioral research, community-participatory research, and inclusive clinical trial partnerships that deepen understanding of our community, strengthen care delivery, inform policy, and practice, and expand equitable participation in medical innovation.

Through strong research infrastructure, trusted community relationships, and partnerships with biotechnology, pharmaceutical, academic, and public health organizations, the Center advances ethical, inclusive, and actionable research that reflects the needs, experiences, and diversity of the communities we serve.

Goals:

Advance Inclusive Clinical Research and Medical Innovation

• Expand equitable participation of historically underserved communities in clinical trials and health research, ensuring that new treatments, diagnostics, devices, and care models are safe, effective, and relevant for diverse populations.

Lead Community-Centered and Investigator-Initiated Research

• Develop and implement research that reflects the priorities, lived experiences, and health needs of the communities Whittier serves, including studies focused on chronic disease, cancer prevention, behavioral health, social determinants of health, and health care access.

Strengthening Care Delivery Through Implementation Science

• Use evidence, data, and implementation research to improve clinical workflows, patient navigation, follow-up systems, care coordination, and programs that reduce disparities and improve health outcomes.

Build Strategic Partnerships for Health Equity

• Partner with biotechnology companies, academic institutions, public health agencies, funders, and community organizations to advance ethical, inclusive, and impactful research that benefits patients, strengthens trust, and informs policy and practice.

Program, Research, and Clinical Trials

The Center for Health Equity Research supports clinical trials, community-based research, implementation projects, and strategic partnerships that expand access to medical innovation and improve health outcomes for historically underserved communities. We are currently engaged in several clinical trials and research projects. For more information, please contact our Director, Center for Health Equity Research at 617 989 3267 or Research.wshc@wshc.org.