Participate in Research
Participate in Forge AHEAD-Funded Research Projects
Forge AHEAD Center focuses on research for the prevention and treatment of cardiometabolic diseases. With your help, we can improve health outcomes for diabetes, obesity, and hypertension throughout the South.
There are plenty of opportunities for everyone to get involved! Explore below.
Stepping Into Lifestyle Change (SILC) is a research study focused on healthy weight loss among African American women, age 30 or older, who are pre-diabetic and/or have high blood pressure and who live, work, or worship in select rural communities throughout Alabama and Mississippi. This project is implementing and evaluating weight loss programs of improved diet and increased physical activity.
The study is enrolling women 30 years or older who self identify as Black and/or African American and live, work, or worship in one of 12 specific intervention communities of rural Alabama counties. These individuals must also have a measured BMI over 25 and at least one other cardiometabolic risk factor (ex. hypertension).
See the link below for more information and additional criteria for eligibility.
PROPEL-IT stands for Promoting Successful Weight Loss in Primary Care in Louisiana using Information Technology. This study is being conducted to determine if a two-year weight loss program that uses virtual health coaching will help Black adults with obesity and diabetes (Type 2) or prediabetes lose more weight and improve their quality of life compared to patients receiving usual medical care.
You may be eligible to participate in this study if you live in Louisiana, have an Ochsner Health primary care provider, identify as Black or African American, are between age 40-70, have a BMI between 30 and 50 and have prediabetes or Type 2 diabetes. Participants must also have an internet-connected device they are willing to use for coaching sessions.
For more information on eligibility and expectations, follow the link below.
In the Food Delivery, Remote Monitoring, and Coaching-Enhanced Education for Optimized Diabetes Management (FREEDOM) study, investigators are working to develop optimized, multilevel interventions that might be used in the future for better control of Type 2 diabetes. With the help of research participants in Alabama and Mississippi, they hope to learn the best combination of digital health coaching, food box delivery, and remote patient monitoring that works for people with diabetes as well as another chronic condition (ex. coronary artery disease, chronic kidney disease).
People with Type 2 diabetes who are at least 18 years old and self-identify as Black or African American may qualify to participate if they also are in ongoing insulin treatment, have a primary care physician. There are additional eligibility requirements and some exclusions, so learn more at the link below.
Research with Partner Institutions
If you are interested in participating in research studies in your area, visit these institutional websites where you will find even more opportunities to contribute.
Look for Even More Volunteer Opportunities
- Search and explore past and present research projects at ClinicalTrials.gov.
- Join ResearchMatch.org and stay connected to current and future opportunities of interest to you.
Latest News from the Forge AHEAD Center
Local researcher champions health equity through innovative patient outreach
In the heart of Alabama, Druss Hays is transforming clinical research through creativity and compassion. As a Clinical Research Coordinator for the Forge AHEAD FREEDOM Study.
Building healthier futures: Raynor’s work to make research accessible
“Translation requires a lot of thought regarding settings, implementers, and patients,” said Hollie Raynor, Ph.D., during the Forge AHEAD December seminar.
Embracing values-based self-care during the holidays
As the holiday season picks up, and it’s easy to get caught in the hustle and bustle. In the November 13 webinar, “Values-based Self Care for the Holiday Season and Beyond,” Kaylee Crockett, Ph.D., Forge AHEAD scholar and assistant professor of Family and Community Medicine, shared invaluable insights on aligning self-care practices with personal values.
Forge AHEAD Center welcomes new staff dedicated to advancing health equity
Meet the new Forge AHEAD staff members.
Locher emphasizes inclusive language in scientific research
“Language is the primary way we convey meaning and culture,” said Julie Locher, Ph.D., professor emerita at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, as she opened the Forge AHEAD seminar on the power of language in scientific communication in November at the University of Mississippi Medical Center.
Schneider Worthington receives recognition for maternal nutrition research
Camille Worthington, Ph.D., a scholar at the Forge AHEAD Center, is leading groundbreaking research on maternal nutrition.
Feeding Hope: How One Researcher is Transforming Lives in the South
When Christopher Long, Ph.D., steps up to the microphone at the Forge AHEAD Center seminar, there’s a quiet urgency in his voice. It’s the conviction of someone who’s spent years researching how food impacts health outcomes and development of chronic diseases with a focus on the people living in the Southern U.S.
Our Scholars’ stories: Caldwell bridges the gap of genetics and nutrition to enhance health outcomes among African American communities in Baton Rouge
Disparities in health outcomes for African American adults involve both biological and social health determinants
Our scholars’ stories: Andrabi seeks to fill a gap in care for stroke survivors in Alabama’s Black Belt
African American communities have a higher prevalence of both hypertension and stroke than any other ethnicity. Alabama is among one of 11 states makes up part of the region known as the Stroke Belt where death from stroke is from 2 to 4 times greater than other states.
Presley Visits Primary Care Practices in the Black Belt
Caroline Presley, M.D., along with Macie Craft, recently visited primary care practices in the Black Belt area as part of Presley’s project on remotely-delivered Mindfulness-Based Diabetes Education for rural adults with uncontrolled diabetes and elevated distress.
