First Wright Center faculty scholar in health disparities targets inequities in cancer screenings
Growing up in rural southeast Arkansas, Michael Preston, Ph.D., M.P.H., saw the value of early screening for colorectal cancer firsthand. His grandfather was screened early, and doctors were able to stop the cancer before it progressed. Preston credits the screening for getting to enjoy many more years with his grandfather than he would have otherwise. […]
New funding program targets rural recruitment through technology
The Wright Center for Clinical and Translational Research announced a new funding program aimed at helping researchers recruit study participants in rural areas. The Rural Pilots Voucher Program offers VCU researchers and investigators at partner institutions the opportunity to apply for a voucher to offset costs related to innovative digital health methods for participant engagement […]
New Community Advisory Board will guide clinical and translational research at VCU
The Wright Center welcomes ten Richmond-area community members, researchers and advocates to a new board that will foster communication between members of the community and Virginia Commonwealth University researchers. The Greater Richmond Community Advisory Board will guide and inform clinical research at VCU by defining research priorities, evaluating projects and asset mapping. The board targets […]
Six short films address mental trauma of COVID-19 on Black and Brown communities
Six short films supported by the Wright Center are now available to be streamed. The films address the mental trauma of COVID-19 on Black and Brown communities and were produced by Richmonder Morgan Avery McCoy Harris. The How Do We Heal series was supported by the inaugural Wright Center Community Mini-Grant and features acted vignettes […]
“It’s time to step up and learn”: Community advocates and health care providers connect on LGBTQIA+ disparities
Zakia McKensey struggled to find doctors who would treat her. The Richmond native came out to her mother at 16 years old and was kicked out of the house. She found a family in the LGBTQIA+ community, but health care for transgender people like herself was almost nonexistant, and patients were subjected to frequent discrimination. […]
Facing rising overdoses, VCU Health strengthens bridge between urgent ER care and long-term addiction services
Emergency departments across the United States experienced a surge in opioid overdose cases during the pandemic. Now, a program at VCU Health aims to help those patients receive the treatment they need after they leave the emergency department. The new VCU Health Virtual Bridge Clinic creates a direct link between the emergency department and treatment […]
“[Trading] our privilege and power for perspective:” Disparities in maternal health bring together community advocates
Tyrah Vann worked in health care for seven years and holds a Master’s degree in public health. She knew about the health disparities for women of color during pregnancy, birth and post-birth. “However, I still fell victim to it,” she said. “Twice.” Her first baby spent two days in intensive care after Vann’s extreme pre-birth […]
Join a nationwide research effort to create a healthier future for all of us
Health care is generally one-size-fits-all. When you visit the doctor, your treatments are often the same as everyone else’s. Wouldn’t it be great if your health care were tailored specifically to you? This is called precision medicine. Precision medicine takes into account: Environment — where you live Lifestyle — for example, what you eat Biology […]
Closing the gap in prostate and colorectal cancer disparities: a community conversation
Terrance Afer-Anderson wants to create an army of ambassadors. The Norfolk native and prostate cancer survivor wrote, produced and directed a movie, “The Black Walnut,” to bring attention to inequities in screening and mortality rates for prostate cancer in the Black community. “I tell men scared of the invasiveness of a prostate cancer screening, ‘You […]
Highlighting the Work of Richmond’s Community Health Workers and Advocates
The health of our community plays a key role in our personal well-being, which is why the work that community health workers and advocates do is so impactful. Public health warriors are on the front lines serving Richmond City’s vulnerable populations by advocating and educating their communities about their health and helping them navigate to […]
