Improving Outcomes One Patient at a Time
We conduct high-impact primary care research that is patient- and community-centered, including work that enhances health promotion, improves care for chronic diseases and advances health care delivery. It is our hope that we can provide better patient experiences and superior outcomes, while also improving provider well-being and support and decreasing health care costs.
Vision
To improve population health outcomes and primary care research in Alabama, and emerge as a leader in the Deep South.
Mission
To achieve excellence in high-impact primary care research, quality improvement, and learning health system initiatives, and to synthesize research, clinical practice and medical education.
Featured Research Projects
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Primary Care HEART-NET
The HEART-NET Primary Care network unites research teams from UAB, the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, and the University of Mississippi Medical Center. The network aims to enhance primary care research infrastructure, involve local communities in research design, and improve access to research that supports population health and chronic disease management, ultimately promoting better health for everyone.
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iREACH Rural
Can online behavioral weight management programs be improved by simply adding a human touch? The iREACH Rural program hopes to answer that question by examining how high-touch support elements in digital interventions can be optimized for delivering weight loss programs to rural patients. Department of Family and Community researchers are partnering with the University of South Carolina and the University of Virginia School of Medicine through the HEART-NET Primary Care research network to help bring this free program to Alabama,
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Barriers Experienced by Food Insecure Patients Who Utilize a Campus Food Pantry
Food insecurity is especially serious for individuals with chronic illnesses, since irregular eating schedules and low-nutrient foods can worsen their health. To address this, a team of researchers spearheaded by Catheryn Orihuela, PhD, will work with Blazer Kitchen campus food pantry “shoppers” to better understand how food insecurity impacts health and what barriers prevent people from getting the food they need.
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Relationships of Affect and Neuroinflammation with Clinical Pain in Veterans Living with Fibromyalgia
This project, led by Taylor Taylor, Ph.D., aims to develop a Veteran-informed, exercise-based pain management intervention for Veterans living with fibromyalgia. By integrating neurological, psychological, and clinical advancements, the study seeks to assess the associations between affect, neuroinflammation, inflammation, and pain, ultimately addressing the urgent need for effective treatment options for Veterans with fibromyalgia.
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Weight Inclusive & Adaptive Strategies to Enhance Cardiometabolic Health in Black Adults (WISE Health)
Led by Assistant Professor Drew Sayer, Ph.D., WISE Health aims to create an environment where people of all weights can access health and wellness. The study compares weight-focused and weight-neutral biobehavioral interventions for improving cardiometabolic health. This is part of a six-month project to determine the feasibility of a larger future trial.
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Behavioral Physical Activity Intervention with Peer Support for Women with HIV and Co-Occurring Hypertension
In 2021, Kaylee B. Crockett, Ph.D., clinical psychologist and assistant professor, received a Mentored Patient-Oriented Research Career Development (K23) award from the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute for research focused on adapting a behavioral physical activity intervention with peer support for women with HIV and co-occurring hypertension.
We are working to implement these goals by engaging learners, residents, fellows and clinical faculty, as well as key institutes, centers, departments and organizations at UAB and beyond. As a department we are continuously developing programs, resources, mentorship opportunities and incentives to support research, scholarship and quality improvement (QI). Another key area of focus is ensuring that we prioritize resources to support the Alabama Practice-Based Research Network (APRBN) and community practices.
Our research staff consists of primary care physicians, clinical and behavioral psychologists, clinical dietitians, nutritional scientists and research and data scientists. Currently, several of our research studies address diabetes and cardiovascular disease, hypertension, weight management, HIV, and lifestyle behavior interventions.
Vice Chair for Research
