Center for Health Equity Research and Promotion (CHERP)

Veterans Health Administration, Decatur PA

Investigators

Abstract

Background: The Center for Health Equity Research and Promotion (CHERP) is a Health Systems Research Center of Innovation (COIN) representing a robust 23-year collaboration between the VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System (VAPHS), Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center (CMCVAMC), and their respective academic affiliates, the University of Pittsburgh and the University of Pennsylvania. In FY25-29, CHERP will expand its groundbreaking research accomplishments in health equity and clinical therapeutics by integrating cutting-edge dissemination and implementation science across all research endeavors. CHERP’s vision is that all Veterans receive outstanding healthcare, the quality and accessibility of healthcare is distributed equitably, and the VHA’s progress towards these goals is a paragon for healthcare systems nationwide. Our mission is to advance the equity and quality of Veteran health and healthcare through impactful research facilitated by partnerships, collaborations, engagement, mentoring, and service to the research enterprise. Significance: Although the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) explicitly prioritizes connecting Veterans to the “soonest and best care” and “driving equity for women, minority, and LGBTQ+ Veterans,” evidence-based therapies are often not used appropriately or equitably. Our investigators rigorously apply their expertise in 5 Health Systems Research (HSR) areas of scientific inquiry (i.e., data science, engagement science, systems science, implementation science, and policy analysis/evaluation) that advance VHA’s research priorities to improve the quality and equity of health and healthcare for Veterans and support its evolution as a learning healthcare system. Impact Goals & Priorities: We propose Impact Goals (IGs) that address two HSR research priorities: “behavioral, social, and cultural determinants of health” and “quality, safety, and value.” Our IGs are to: (1) Improve the equity and quality of health and healthcare for marginalized Veteran populations and generate evidence to inform related healthcare policies; (2) Increase the equity, accessibility, safety, and value of clinical therapeutics for Veterans and generate evidence to inform related healthcare policies; and (3) Advance the science and real-world application of dissemination and implementation methods to improve the equity and quality of VHA healthcare. Our research has transformed related clinical practice and healthcare policy, and our investigators lead 36 ongoing research and QI projects and plan 51 future projects aligned with these IGs. Additional Contribution Areas: Our research has also improved clinical practice and informed health policy aligned with the HSR priorities of “long-term care and aging” and “primary care practice and complex chronic disease management.” Our investigators lead 19 ongoing projects and plan 31 future projects in these areas. Innovation & Emerging Areas: Our investigators conduct leading-edge, partnered research by advancing the science and real-world application of implementation science, creating unique data linkages and analytical methods in data science, and studying the effects of VHA healthcare policy on healthcare disparities, patient outcomes, and costs of care in policy analysis and evaluation. Partnerships & Support for Research Enterprise: CHERP has developed 13 highly committed partnerships that have persisted over time, supported multiple projects, and involved substantial financial contributions, including VAPHS, CMCVAMC, VISN 4, and 10 national VHA Offices and Programs (e.g., Office of Health Equity and Pharmacy Benefits Management). Collectively, these partners have invested $21 million over the past 4 years to support partnered research and QI projects of mutual interest to improve the health and healthcare of Veterans. As national thought leaders, our investigators contribute to the VHA research enterprise by improving data quality, advancing research methods, developing new tools, and sharing technical expertise with investigators and program leaders throughout the VHA research enterprise and beyond.