UIC Urban Institute for Child and Adolescent Health Research (UICare)
In November 2020, researchers across UIC convened to discuss opportunities to expand child health research. We formed the UIC Child and Adolescent Health Research Consortium and have met regularly since. The Consortium conducted a robust SWOT analysis that engaged faculty at all UIC colleges, presented to OVCR and the research deans, participated in a CCTS Studio Session, led a well-attended East+West Mixer, developed a vision and mission, recruited members to the Consortium, and established catalyst groups. These activities form the basis for the UIC Urban Institute for Child and Adolescent Health Research (UICare).
The mission of UICare is to support scientists across UIC to conduct transdisciplinary research that serves as a catalyst for achieving population-level improvements in child and adolescent health in urban communities. Emphasis will be placed on eliminating long-standing pernicious racial and socioeconomic inequities undermining the health and well-being of historically marginalized groups that comprise the majority of Chicago’s 2.7 million inhabitants. UICare will be ideally positioned to realize this mission because of the wealth of nationally recognized UIC faculty conducting cutting-edge research on child and adolescent heath within urban contexts. UICare will leverage existing child/adolescent health research initiatives to foster strong community research engagement, intra-campus collaboration, and synergy across UIC’s colleges to develop and implement novel transdisciplinary research.
At present, UICare is not a formal institute and is not funded. We welcome ideas and suggestions for how to make this a reality! Please contact Molly Martin, MD, with thoughts and questions.