About Us

A health disparity exists when there is a significant disparity in the overall rate of disease incidence,
prevalence, morbidity, mortality or survival rates in a specific group as compared to the general
population.

Adapted from the Minority Health and Health Disparities Research and Education Act
United States Public Law 106-525 (2000), p. 2498

The Health Disparities Research Network (HDRN) was created to:

• increase the capacity of faculty from South Carolina’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities

• (HBCUs) and other institutions to conduct health disparities research;

• facilitate intra and inter-institutional research partnerships;

• enhance skills in grant writing and research methods; and provide support for research activities.

Since this time, the HDRN has expanded its membership to include community leaders and other
keystakeholders engaged in the fight to reduce and ultimately eliminate health disparities in South
Carolina and beyond.

HDRN members are involved in various types of health disparities research and other-related activities that are aligned with moving our nation towards realizing its’ long-term health goals and objectives that have been defined by Healthy People 2020.

Monthly meetings are held on the first Tuesday of the each month to provide an opportunity for HDRN members to share manuscript and research ideas, receive training in grant writing and research methods (including manuscript development), as well as other resources that may be of interest for the professional development of faculty and/or our community partners.

The HDRN has successfully submitted manuscripts to peer-reviewed journals, as well as a number of collaborative, multi-disciplinary proposals to government agencies and private foundations to secure funding to conduct health disparities research projects.

For additional information about the HDRN, please contact:

Dr. Lisa Wigfall
(803) 251-2298
hdrn@mailbox.sc.edu