New center plays role in advancing health equity for LGBTQ community
Boston, June 4, 2024 2020. /PRNewswire/ — Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute has announced the launch of an LGBTQ Health Center of Excellence to advance health equity for the LGBTQ community. In partnership with Harvard T.H. Chan School This first-of-its-kind center in public health will leverage the unique research and teaching capabilities of both institutions.
The person in charge of the center is Brittany Charlton, Harvard Medical School An associate professor of population medicine at Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute and associate professor of epidemiology at Harvard Chan School, Dr. Charlton is a leading authority on documenting reproductive health and cancer disparities that affect the LGBTQ community, and he sought to create a diverse, inclusive and equitable home for LGBTQ health.
“One in 10 people in the United States are LGBTQ, and with twice that number among young people, this number is set to grow. LGBTQ people experience widespread discrimination that results in negative physical and mental health outcomes,” said Dr. Charlton. “As public health and health care leaders, we have a responsibility and opportunity to drive real change.”
In collaboration with Harvard University and partners around the world, the Center will focus on: training To develop the next generation of LGBTQ health leaders. the study Expanding the evidence base on LGBTQ health; Spread To inform policymakers, health care providers, and the general public on how to most effectively improve LGBTQ health.
“This Pride Month, we are thrilled to celebrate the opening of the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute’s LGBTQ Health Center of Excellence,” Massachusetts Governor Maura Healy“It is critical that we develop the next generation of LGBTQ+ health care leaders who understand the unique health needs of the LGBTQ+ community and who will spearhead new innovations and life-saving treatments.”
“Public health is key to addressing LGBTQ health disparities, but the field has lacked the infrastructure to equip learners with the skills they need to protect the health of marginalized populations and become leaders in the field,” adds Dr. Charlton. “I have a clear vision for how our center can prepare the next generation of leaders to not only continue to document that inequities exist, but also to design interventions and advocate for policy changes that will concretely improve the lives of LGBTQ people.”
The center has several initiatives planned for its first year, including:
- Tuition scholarships awarded to students focused on LGBTQ health
- Designing a new student course on LGBTQ health research methodologies
- Awarding Pilot Grants for LGBTQ Health Research
- Launching a fellowship to train public health leaders to advocate for LGBTQ health issues in public life through editorials, social media content and more
“Our institute is dedicated to aligning researchers and resources to optimize health policy, health care delivery and outcomes, and the LGBTQ Health Center of Excellence is poised to create the change needed to redress the inequities this population faces,” said the institute’s director. Emily OkenDirector of the Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute, Harvard Medical School “Dr. Charlton has assembled what could be called a ‘dream team’ of researchers from both institutions to accomplish this goal,” said Dr.
In addition to Charlton, the inaugural faculty of the Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute included: Douglas Krakower, Julia Marcus, Aron Peltzand Jessica YoungFaculty members at the Center at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health include: Jarvis Chen, Christy Denkla, Heather Eliassen, Sebastian Hannuse, Maggie McConnell, Alecia McGregor, Shobha Ramanadan, Deepali Raveland Natalie Slopen.
“Harvard Chan School’s core mission is to improve health and promote equity so all people can thrive. This new Center of Excellence will advance that mission by preparing the next generation of public health leaders, examining LGBTQ health disparities, and translating its findings into policies, programs, and clinical care designed to address those inequities,” added Andrea Baccarelli, dean of the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.
An official launch event is planned June 4th from 4pm – 7pm
The centre will officially open on Tuesday 4 June with an inclusive, family-friendly Pride 2024 and launch event. 4pm to 7pm The event will be held on the first floor of the Harvard Chan School. Leaders from both partner institutions will give speeches.Dean of Harvard Chan School Undergraduate Andrea BaccarelliDean of Academic Affairs, Harvard Chan School Jane KimDirector, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute Emily OkenDirector of the NIH Sexual Minority Research Center; Karen Parkerand will speak alongside other speakers prior to the Fireside Chat. Brittany Charlton and Alex SpinelliSTAT’s engagement editor. The talk will be followed by a reception that will include a storytime with Boston Chapter Director Patty Boulet. Drag Queen Story Hour.
About Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute
Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute Department of Population Medicine Harvard Pilgrim Healthcare and Harvard Medical SchoolFounded in 1992, united states of america Founded by health plans. The institute partners with health plans, delivery systems and public health agencies to improve health care delivery and public health through innovative research and education. Point32Health is the parent company of Harvard Pilgrim Health Care and Tufts Health Plan. X and LinkedIn.
About Harvard TH Chan School public health
Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health Harvard Chan School brings together passionate experts from many disciplines to develop a new generation of global health leaders and generate powerful ideas that improve the lives and health of people around the world. As a community of leading scientists, educators, and students, we work together to take innovative ideas from the lab into people’s lives. We work not only to achieve scientific breakthroughs, but also to change individual behavior, public policy, and medical practices. Each year, Harvard Chan School’s more than 400 faculty members instruct more than 1,000 full-time students from around the world and train thousands more through online and executive education courses. Founded in 1913 as the Harvard-MIT School of Health Officials, the School is known as the oldest professional training program in public health in the United States.
Source: Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute
