Research Working Groups
PRCHN Research Working Groups are comprised of academic and community partners that work collaboratively on a chronic disease prevention topic relevant to local communities. Academic partners bring research expertise in the topic, and community organizations and residents provide the local community expertise and knowledge. Together this will lead to the development of locally relevant research questions which can be used to address the chronic disease issues of the community.
We encourage NOCA members to consider serving on one or more working groups. These groups are still being formulated, and their "launching" will be somewhat determined by how many community partners are interested in joining each group.
Thus far we have convened a working group around the use of little cigars, with a nutrition-oriented food policy working group slated to be developed next.
Please contact Jackie Matloub at jmm281@case.edu for more information on the research working groups, including how to join one.
Little Cigars Research Working Group
Little cigar use is an increasing problem, particularly in urban African-American youth. Local data confirms the trend of increasing use that community members and area organizations are witnessing. The group has submitted a grant application to research little cigar use in young adults in Cleveland neighborhoods. The topic "Little Cigars: Big Problem in a Small Wrapper" was also the first presentation in the Brown Bag Lunch Series.
The Little Cigars RWG meets for the first time on July 30th, 2010
Food & Nutrition Policy Research Working Group
The impact of a healthy diet on chronic disease prevention and treatment is well documented. Currently in Northeast Ohio there is a lot of activity around food systems and access to fresh fruits and vegetables. This is thanks in large part to the Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Food Policy Coalition, which is a joint venture of Ohio State University Extension (Cuyahoga County branch) and the Prevention Research Center for Healthy Neighborhoods.
The newly-formed Food and Nutrition Policy Research Working Group brings together academics, community organizations, and community members to coordinate the direction of the research, food policy, and dissemination that will impact the chronic disease burden in the communities of Cleveland lacking sufficient access to healthy foods.
The first meeting of the research working group was held Monday, October 25th, 2010. The group is currently undertaking a study of EBT availability and use at area farmers markets. Other projects being considered relate to improving the distribution of healthy foods to underserved neighborhoods through existing outlets, as was a component of the Center's previous Cleveland Corner Store Project. The research working group has essentially become the research arm of the Food Policy Coalition.
