UT Health San Antonio led initiative receives multimillion dollar support to improve heart health in South Texas

Contact: Eileen Teves, 210-450-7239, [email protected]

A team of researchers at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UT Health San Antonio) are among four teams from across the United States that have been selected to launch community engagement centers thanks to a generous contribution from the American Heart Association and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

A total gift of $20 million from the American Heart Association and Robert Wood Johnson Foundation will support the four teams of scientists and community leaders to engage in historically underrepresented groups and research efforts aimed at reducing health inequities and improving community health.

Led by UT Health San Antonio's Vasan Ramachandran, MD, FACC, FAHA, and Amelie Ramirez, DrPH, MPH, the COmmuNity eNgagEment for building Capacity, Trust, and Ownership of Research (CONNECTOR) is the name of the community engagement resource center and will receive $3.5 million for its initiative.

CONNECTOR will support the UT Health San Antonio team in identifying, evaluating and managing community-based solutions to fight precursors of heart and vascular disease, including upstream factors such as nutrition insecurity and other related determinants of opportunities for maintaining good health. The funds will go towards training the next generation of research scholars and community-based practitioners with field-based experiences and essential skills to drive meaningful changes in the community. The team will also share key findings from their research on how community engagement practices can support the improvement of health outcomes.

"We are grateful for the American Heart Association and Robert Wood Johnson Foundation investing in our initiative," said Ramachandran, founding dean of The University of Texas School of Public Health San Antonio (UT School of Public Health San Antonio). "Our goal is to engage, support, understand, and learn from underrepresented communities regarding their specific health concerns and related needs."

On average, someone in the United States dies of cardiovascular disease every 34 seconds. Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men, women and underrepresented communities in the United States. Receiving support to address heart disease underscores a shared commitment to advancing heart health throughout the community.

"Sustainable health begins by acknowledging the barriers that exist for underserved communities, including right here in San Antonio," said Allen Anderson, MD, FACC, FAHA, professor and chief of the Janey and Dolph Briscoe Division of Cardiology at UT Health San Antonio. "I'm delighted that Dr. Ramachandran, a world-renowned clinical outcomes researcher, a cardiologist in our division, and the dean of our school of public health, will lead the community engagement center component of this major study. We are all committed to fighting disparities in cardiovascular health care through research like this and through the American Heart Association."

Anderson is also a board member of The American Heart Association San Antonio and director of the Heart and Vascular Institute at University Health. Partnering with the organization represents an effort to approach health challenges, enhance public health and make significant widespread improvements.

"Our collaboration embodies transformative potential of integrating diverse perspectives and valuable community insights," said Ramirez, chair of Population Health Sciences, director of the Institute for Health Promotion Research and leader of Salud America!, a Latino health communication program at UT Health San Antonio. "Through our research and community engagement, we have the opportunity to reach underrepresented groups and promote best practices in heart disease prevention."

The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. Dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities through collaboration with numerous organizations, and powered by millions of volunteers, The American Heart Association funds innovative research, advocates for the public's health and shares lifesaving resources. The Dallas-based organization has been a leading source of health information for a century. As they forge ahead into their second century of bold discovery and impact, The American Heart Association's vision is to advance health and hope for everyone, everywhere.

Inspired by the vision of its founder, Robert Wood Johnson II, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) is a leading national philanthropy dedicated to transforming health. Through funding, advocacy, and evidence-building, the organization works with communities, practitioners and institutions to achieve health equity.

The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UT Health San Antonio) is one of the country's leading health science universities and is designated as a Hispanic-Serving Institution by the U.S. Department of Education. With missions of teaching, research, patient care and community engagement, its schools of medicine, nursing, dentistry, health professions, graduate biomedical sciences and public health have graduated more than 43,886 alumni who are leading change, advancing their fields and renewing hope for patients and their families throughout South Texas and the world. To learn about the many ways "We make lives better®," visit UTHealthSA.org.

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