Binational/Cross-Cultural Health Enhancement

Abstract

The Binational/Cross-Cultural Health Enhancement Center (BiCCHEC) fosters multidisciplinary research collaborations that address the biological, cultural, historical, legal, behavioral and demographic issues that impact the health status of communities where Hispanics are born and where they live in Indiana. BiCCHEC, with a commitment not only to research but also to teaching and service, develops and utilizes approaches, programs, training, and applications that are culturally relevant, practical, just, reciprocal, and always in partnership with communities. As communities become more and more diverse, obstacles to health and wellbeing created by language and cultural differences emerge. Finding ways to improve the availability of health services and eliminate health disparities for an increasingly diverse and mobile community is a commitment of the center. Since its 2007, BiCCHEC members have submitted sixty three internal and external grants of which thirty one have been funded for over $900,000. They have published 31 peerreviewed articles or book chapters and presented their research findings in 81 symposiums, showcases, workshops or conferences as keynote speakers, panel discussants or speakers. BiCCHEC projects are multidisciplinary; approximately 80% of the projects involve two or more IUPUI schools. BiCCHEC projects are also collaborative; approximately 70% of the projects have one or more community partners. BiCCHEC’s main community partners are La Plaza, Inc., the Institute for Mexicans Abroad (IME), Friends of Hidalgo, and more recently the Indiana Latino Institute. BiCCHEC conducts research with a commitment to service and education. Members have mentored 111 students in research and service-learning projects.