Einstein Center for Urban Health Policy & Research Receives Diabetes Research Grant
Philadelphia, PA, October 5, 2006 – The Center for Urban Health Policy & Research at Albert Einstein Healthcare Network, has received $230,000 in research funding
from the Network to help combat diabetes in North Philadelphia. The funds will be used to conduct a comprehensive community
assessment of diabetes-related resources in North Philadelphia and to develop a research program linking Albert Einstein Healthcare
Network to the community. The funds will pay for a two-year project, with the goal of continuing the research beyond that.
“Our research team is very excited about this initiative, particularly since it’s the first time a grant has been given specifically
to focus on diabetes prevention in our community,” says Etienne Phipps, PhD, Director of Einstein Center for Urban Health
Policy and Research, and co-principal investigator for the study. “This is action-oriented research which aims to make a difference
in the lives of people in the community. We’ll be evaluating outcomes and looking at what works for individuals in real-life
settings, not a laboratory,” adds Dr. Phipps.
The project arose as part of the Einstein Community Diabetes Collaborative, a multidisciplinary group led by Mary Beth Kingston,
RN, MSN, Einstein’s Chief Nursing Executive. The Collaborative brings together representatives from Nursing, Pediatrics, Neurosciences,
Gutman Center for Diabetes and the Center for Urban Health to focus efforts on prevention of diabetes and its complications.
“The effects of diabetes can be devastating, leading to heart attack, stroke, blindness, kidney failure and amputation,” says
George Newman, MD, Chair, Einstein’s Department of Neurosciences and co-principal investigator for the project. “There are
ways communities can work together to prevent diabetes and lessen its impact, and that is what our research is all about,”
Newman adds.
Components of the research program include a diabetes-focused mapping project which will identify the many levels of assets,
strengths, and social environmental barriers related to diabetes that face our communities. The researchers will also strengthen
established partnerships in the community and create new ones for collaborative community focused research. This will involve
joining with community organizations, church leaders, block captains, gyms, grocery stores, among others.
Additional components of the research include creating a pilot study on gestational diabetes (diabetes during pregnancy),
and one on the impact of diabetes among employees of Albert Einstein Healthcare Network. In addition, a hospital/community
symposium will be held at the end of 2007 to share results of the asset mapping and two pilot programs.
Einstein Center for Urban Health Policy and Research studies, demonstrates, supports and champions ways to improve the delivery
of healthcare to diverse, urban underserved communities.
Albert Einstein Healthcare Network, a member of the Jefferson Health System, provides healthcare services through Albert Einstein
Medical Center, Germantown Community Health Services, Willow Terrace (a nursing home), Einstein at Elkins Park, MossRehab,
Willowcrest (a center for subacute care), Belmont Behavioral Health and a number of outpatient and satellite locations. Einstein
also operates a primary care network, Einstein Neighborhood Healthcare. For more information, visit www.einstein.edu or call
1-800-EINSTEIN.
CONTACT: Judy Horwitz
Communications Specialist
Albert Einstein Healthcare Network
215-456-6767
horwitzj@einstein.edu
Publish date: October 5, 2006
