About Us.We are a collaborative, transdisciplinary network that aims to engage, educate, and motivate Hispanic/Latino community members to participate in aging research. Representative and inclusive research is necessary to drive out health disparities.
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Established in 2020The Engaging Communities of Hispanics/Latinos for Aging Research (ECHAR) Network capitalizes on the combined strength of community residents and patient/volunteer liaisons, health agencies and community-based organizations, and researchers in three metro areas home to nearly 1.4 million Hispanic/Latino individuals: Houston, TX, Denver, CO, and Las Vegas, NV.
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Our GoalThe long-term goal of the ECHAR Network is to address effective recruitment of Hispanics/Latinos into aging and Alzheimer's disease research. Numerous barriers exist at various levels. Therefore, we seek to identify and address these barriers through equitable partnerships and culturally responsive approaches that will result in long-term changes to ongoing research programs.
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Our Team
Different Backgrounds, One Goal
ECHAR relies on a transdisciplinary team with diverse expertise. Members include clinicians and clinical researchers, academic scientists, volunteer health agencies and community-based organizations, and -- most importantly -- community partners that represent their local communities.
Our work is supported by a grant from the National Institute on Aging (R24AG065170). The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health |
Our Director
Dr. Luis D. Medina is the primary director of the ECHAR Network. Dr. Medina is a bilingual and bicultural, licensed clinical psychology and cultural neuropsychologist. Born in Puerto Rico, Dr. Medina has lived and trained in Connecticut, California, and Colorado. He is faculty at the University of Houston and his research focuses on cultural factors in cognitive aging and health disparities. He has worked closely with Hispanic/Latino communities for the past 20 years.
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We're Here for YouIf you are interested in learning more about participating in research opportunities, you wish to learn more how to make your current research more inclusive, or you are just curious about the research process, we are here to help.
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