Community Health & Chronic Disease

We take a patient-centric approach and use our data to help prevent, detect, diagnose, and treat chronic diseases while promoting community health.

Chronic diseases are long-lasting conditions, and people living with chronic diseases (such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, or depression) must learn to manage daily symptoms that affect their quality of life. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, chronic disease is the leading cause of death and disability in the United States.

In an effort to mitigate the impacts of chronic diseases, the Primary Care Research Institute (PCRI) promotes community health research and best practices centered around minimizing socioeconomic and environmental risk factors. It is the overarching goal of PCRI researchers to support work at the community level that promotes healthy living, helps to prevent chronic disease, and brings overall health benefits to the greatest number of people in need. By working directly with the community, the PCRI team strives to reduce health gaps caused by social determinants of health, such as differences in race and ethnicity, location, social status, and income.

Current Research Projects

Advancing Geriatrics Infrastructure & Network Growth (AGING) Initiative
9/27/23
Using novel analytic methods with systemwide Health Information Exchange (HIE) data, we will explore new risk factors relevant to Multiple Chronic Conditions (MCCs) in older adults. This pilot study is also using a participatory patient-care partner approach to gain insight on MCC patient experiences and ensure the relevance of risk factors developed for future patient-provider interactions.
An Epidemiological Study on the Health Effects and Coke Oven Emissions from Tonawanda Coke
9/27/23
This project will conduct a 10-year cohort study of 38,000 residents of Tonawanda and Grand Island to examine the health effects of industrial environmental pollutants.
Center for Ecosystems Data Integration and Pandemic Early Warning (PIPP Phase I)
9/27/23
With an interdisciplinary team, including but not limited to biochemists, epidemiologists, mathematicians, and computer scientists, we aim to develop and implement a robust system to detect signs of a potential pandemic in our environment and within our populations. Early detection is key to responding to public health crises like the COVID-19 pandemic quickly, effectively, and thoughtfully as a community. This requires true partnership and trust among researchers, public health officials, government, and the public. We actively, continuously engage and partner with members of diverse community groups to directly inform each other and provide feedback about what changes in the community should be monitored as part of this predictive system. We consider the unique needs of different communities in the event of a future pandemic to promote community strengths and proactively allocate resources.
Community Health Worker Training Program (CHWTP)
3/27/24
As part of this collaborative initiative, led by Dr. Renee Cadzow of D'Youville University, PCRI's role is to create an advanced community health worker (CHW) training for workforce in research and in primary care using a participatory approach. This training will follow guidelines set forth by CoNECT: The Community Health Network of Buffalo and the Patient Voices Network.
Healthy Cattaraugus County: A Drug-Free Community Coalition
9/27/23
The primary goal of this grant is to reduce substance use among youth and, over time, reduce substance abuse among adults by addressing the factors in a community that increase the risk of substance abuse and promoting the factors that minimize the risk of substance abuse. We will accomplish this by strengthening collaboration among communities, public and private non-profit agencies, and federal, state, local, and tribal governments to support the efforts of community coalitions working to prevent and reduce substance use among youth.
Healthy Cattaraugus County: Sober Truth on Preventing (STOP) Underage Drinking Act Grant
9/27/23
Serving as an extension to the strategic action plan of the Drug-Free Community Coalition grant, funds for this project will be used to prevent and reduce alcohol use among youth and adults aged 12-20 years. This grant seeks to reduce opportunities for underage drinking while also limiting access to alcohol and expanding enforcement opportunities.
Identifying Determinants of Produce Prescription Implementation and Usage
4/24/24
The chief aim of this grant is to evaluate new and ongoing produce prescription programs being offered at Neighborhood Health Center in partnership with the Massachusetts Avenue Project’s Growing Green Mobile market and FreshFix. This research will use focus groups with patients to help determine barriers and facilitators to program usage at both mobile produce markets and a new delivered produce prescription model. These programs have shown significant promise across the country for improving diet and health and reducing health care costs, particularly for those living in food insecurity or with chronic health conditions.