Influence, Disparities and Breast Cancer Outcomes

Loewenberg College of Nursing receives award from the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities

This past fall, the University of Memphis Loewenberg College of Nursing secured a subaward totaling $171K from the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD). This subaward was granted to Dr. Jill Dapremont, professor and division director for the Family, Community, Health, and Science System (FCHSS) within the Loewenberg College of Nursing (LCON).

Dapremont is leading the charge at UofM/LCON on the proposed grant titled "Policy Pathways to Breast Health Equity in Racially Segregated Areas with Concentrated Poverty." This groundbreaking research aims to identify effective policy pathways for addressing the most effective policy pathways in acknowledging the role of disadvantaged racially segregated neighborhoods which influence disparities in two breast cancer outcomes –late-stage diagnosis and mortality rates.

Spearheading this initiative is the University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC), acting as the principal investigator (PI) for the $1.5 million NIMHD four-year grant spanning 2023 to 2027. Dapremont, in collaboration with Dr. White-Means, PI at UTHSC, will lead the development of the primary focus group and individual interview facilitator to assist in qualitative data analysis and interpretation of how practices and polices impact breast cancer outcomes in disadvantage communities. Dr. Daphene R. McFerren, executive director of the Hooks Institute, and Dr. Elena Delavega, professor of Social Work at the University of Memphis, will both contribute significantly by publishing study results in policy papers, and distributing research outcomes throughout the Memphis community. The successful completion of this research will lay the groundwork for designing public policy interventions aimed at addressing disparities across various disease states with a focus on equity and social justice concerns.

For more information on this study, contact Dapremont at jdaprmnt@memphis.edu.