COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Researchers at FIU’s School of Social Work work around the clock to find solutions to challenges impacting communities near and far. From addressing health disparities across South Florida to educating the community to reduce COVID-19 vaccine myths, FIU’s School of Social Work is on the frontlines, reaching people where they are with critical information and compassion.
$13.1 million grant awarded to help end health disparities in South Florida The National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD) awarded FIU-CommunityBased Research Institute (CBRI), led by Dr. Eric Wagner, professor at FIU’s School of Social Work, a $13.1 million grant to build a world-class research center focused on ending health disparities associated with substance use problems and HIV in South Florida. The grant, entitled “FIU Center for Reducing Health Disparities in Substance Abuse & HIV in South Florida,” is the single largest grant ever won by FIU and is part of NIMHD’s Research Centers in Minority Institutions (RCMI) Program. The center works to recognize and boost health disparities research in the South Florida community. Three FIU School of Social Work faculty have been FIU-RCMI funded scholars: Dr. Shanna Burke (2019-2020), Dr. Nicole Fava (2020-2021), and Dr. Hui Huang (2018-2019).
Debunking myths around the COVID-19 vaccine with underserved communities Under the FIU-RCMI, Dr. Eric Wagner serves as Principal Investigator for the FIU-RCMI Townhall Supplement, which conducts town halls to provide COVID-19 education and information, answer questions, and debunk myths about the COVID-19 vaccine. The townhalls are one hour each and are in partnership with various community organizations, whose representatives serve on the townhall panel alongside FIU medical and public health experts. The townhalls are held virtually in English, Spanish, and Creole to reach people across various communities.
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