Center for Prevention Research

MISSION: Building on TSU’s HBCU and land-grant history, the Center for Prevention Research enhances TSU’s capacity for multi-disciplinary behavioral, social and health sciences teams to advance health equity and chronic disease prevention in ethnic minority and rural communities, using a community-engaged research approach.

The Center for Prevention Research at TSU was established by Dr. Baqar Husaini in 1976. The Center is funded primarily by external grants from federal, state and local agencies, and is part of the Division of Research and Sponsored Programs.

A multi-disciplinary team of researchers at TSU and other universities work with the Center through various research projects and collaborative arrangements. They apply scholarship in the fields of psychology, public health, sociology, nursing, and other behavioral and health sciences to the mission of the Center. Key overarching fields used their work include community-engaged research (CEnR), dissemination and implementation science, and team science. These three areas are described elsewhere on this site.  

The Center continues to develop a long-standing and active relationship with the local community including African Americans, Hispanics, residents of rural communities, and other under-served communities in addressing their health-related needs.

The Center represents a strong asset for TSU as a thriving hub of research activity and research training for faculty and students.

 

Goals of the Center

1.  Conduct community-based, behavioral and health services research aimed at improving health outcomes and reducing health disparities. This is accomplished in partnership with community organizations, public health agencies, and the Meharry-Vanderbilt-TSU Community Advisory Board. https://www.mvtcp.org/

2.  Enhance TSU’s capacity for multi-disciplinary research teams to use behavioral, social and health sciences to advance heath equity and chronic disease prevention. This is accomplished by responding to requests for relevant educational programs from TSU faculty and students, and an email listserve that provides links to resources.

3.  Mentor and provide funding for undergraduate and graduate student research assistants in conducting health-related research related to the mission of the Center.