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Forge AHEAD Center

Achieving Health Equity Across the Deep South

Forge AHEAD Center

Achieving Health Equity Across the Deep South

Forge AHEAD Center

Achieving Health Equity Across the Deep South

A Collaborative Health Equity Research Center

Forge AHEAD Center is a regional comprehensive research center dedicated to advancing the prevention and management of cardiometabolic diseases, including obesity, diabetes, and hypertension, which disproportionately affect communities in Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana. Through active community engagement and research collaboration, we aim to reduce health disparities and foster a healthier future for all.

Funded by a grant from the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD), Forge AHEAD Center is a part of the Health Equity Action Network.  

Institutions Partnering in a Center For Health Equity

Forge AHEAD Center is a partnership between institutions working together to develop the best approaches to research, education, and community engagement.

Our Vision for a Healthier Future

The vision of Forge AHEAD Center is to achieve health equity by eliminating health disparities and improving health outcomes in diabetes, obesity, and hypertension throughout the South. Our vision is accomplished through effective partnerships with academic, non-academic, and community organizations to support research, training, outreach, and education.

Our Values in Achieving Health Equity

 

 

Teamwork

DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION

EXCELLENCE IN RESEARCH

TRUSTWORTHINESS

Transparency

Innovation

Transitioning from Health Disparities to Better Health For All

Forge AHEAD Center is motivated to improve current health issues in our region. Inequalities in cardiometabolic health have long been a concern. Now, in some cases, these inequalities have widened across racial, socio-economic, and geographic lines. In the “Deep South” region of the United States of America (USA) rates of obesity, diabetes, and hypertension are the highest in the nation. Life expectancy in the Deep South is substantially lower than other regions, and this difference is even greater for Black Americans living in the area.

Elimination of these disparities – health equity for all – is our ultimate goal. Reaching health equity will require a precision public health approach, best viewed as “providing the right intervention to the right population at the right time.” This approach acknowledges the importance of context, culture, individual beliefs, and preferences, and emphasizes the needs for intervention on multiple levels addressing several areas of health and wellness.

 In The News & Local Events

Forge AHEAD Center welcomes champion for community engagement in Louisiana

The Forge AHEAD Center is excited to welcome Andrea Pickett, Louisiana Clinical and Translational Science Center (LA CaTS) Community Engagement and Outreach Program coordinator at Pennington Biomedical Research Center, to our growing team.

Forge AHEAD Center launches Community Micro-Grant Program to strengthen health initiatives across the deep south

The Forge AHEAD Center is proud to announce the launch of its Community Micro-Grant Program, an initiative designed to support organizations in Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi that are working to improve health outcomes related to diabetes, obesity, and hypertension.

Enhancing food access in Mississippi: How Stewpot and Mississippi Food Network are driving community solutions

What if accessing your next nutritious meal was uncertain? For nearly one in six Mississippians, this is a daily reality.

Bridging science and action: three scholars tackle heart health challenges

The March event featured three Forge AHEAD scholars who shared their research on addressing cardiovascular health through behavioral interventions. Their work, spanning financial wellness, food insecurity, and maternal health, highlights the need for integrated solutions that go beyond traditional public health approaches.

Exploring genetics, nutrition, and food access in Baton Rouge

Where you live shouldn’t determine your ability to access fresh, nutritious food. But for many in North Baton Rouge, it does. In parts of Baton Rouge—especially North Baton Rouge and Scotlandville—accessing fresh, nutritious food is a challenge rather than a choice.

Follow-up: how nutrition is transforming maternal health in Alabama

Last year, Forge AHEAD featured the work of Camille Worthington, Ph.D., RDN, an assistant professor at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, who is studying how home-delivered meals could improve pregnancy outcomes for Medicaid-eligible women in Alabama.

Tuskegee leads exploration of AI’s role in improving health outcomes in the deep south

Tuskegee University (TU), a Forge AHEAD Center (FAC) partner, led discussions on artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare and public health at a recent bioethics forum marking its 10th anniversary.

The 2025 Birmingham Black Male Summit: Empowering, Connecting, and Driving Change

The 3rd Annual Black Male Summit in Birmingham was an inspiring and transformative gathering that brought together thought leaders, professionals, and community advocates from across the region. Focused on strengthening and supporting Black men and the communities they belong to, this year’s summit featured engaging discussions, interactive workshops, and valuable networking opportunities.

Heart health takes teamwork: How Forge AHEAD and one UAB researcher are creating lasting change

High blood pressure silently affects over 42% of adults in Alabama, often without noticeable symptoms, making it a serious health risk. Managing this condition can be challenging, especially when striving for lasting changes that improve health.

Spotlight on the Birmingham Black Male Summit: Promoting health equity and community wellness for Black Men

The Birmingham Black Male Summit is on a mission to enhance the quality of life for Black men in Birmingham by addressing critical areas of mental, physical, emotional, and financial health.

Our Projects

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People & Partners

Advance Health Equity With Us

Contact us today to learn more about the Forge AHEAD Center, our research, and how to partner with us.

Cite Forge AHEAD's Grant

Forge AHEAD Center is a regional comprehensive research center funded by a P50 grant from the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD). Click below for citation information.

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