Current Studies
Ongoing SIRC-led studies and research collaborations with partners at ASU, other academic institutions, and community organizations
Arizona CEAL: Linking Social Care with Healthcare Systems to Address SDOH
Principal Investigators: Sairam Parthasarathy, University of Arizona; Sabrina Oesterle, Arizona State University; Samantha Sabo, Northern Arizona University; Jon Tilburt, Mayo Clinic
Funding: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, 2024-2028
The overarching goal of this project is to disseminate and implement social care integration within healthcare systems to address social determinants of health among socioeconomically disadvantaged patient populations by connecting healthcare providers and their patients with trained community health workers through an Interactive Voice Response (IVR) platform. The study will evaluate the social care linkage infrastructure by conducting a stepped wedge cluster randomized trial in 10 clinical sites across the state.
Health and Functioning in New Midlife Adults: Understanding the Role of Alcohol Use, Social Environments, and Preventive Intervention over the Life Course
Principal Investigators: Marina Epstein, University of Washington (Principal Investigator); Sabrina Oesterle, ASU (co-Investigator)
Funding: National Institute of Aging, 2021-2026
This study examines the influence of sociodemographic statuses and transitions among those now entering midlife on comorbid health outcomes in early midlife, as well as the role of life-course alcohol use and social and neighborhood environments for midlife health using longitudinal data from the Seattle Social Development Study (SSDP), a diverse community sample followed from age 10 to 48.
Eliminating COVID-19 Disparities in Partnership with Underserved/Vulnerable Transnational Communities of Arizona (supplement to the U54 Specialized Center of Excellence)
Principal Investigator: Flavio Marsiglia
Funding: National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities, 2021-2024
This project aims to implement and evaluate a multi-faceted promotora-led intervention in border communities including Nogales/Rio Rico, Douglas, Yuma/San Luis/Somerton, and Tohono O’odham Nation. This project aims to increase access to testing and related services for vulnerable and underserved transnational communities. In a partnership between Arizona State University (ASU), Equality Health Foundation (EHF) and other community organizations and leaders, this project empowers local communities, is data driven, and creates capacity for community-driven delivery of care.
Culture, Longitudinal Patterns, and Safety Promotion of Handgun Carrying among Rural Adolescents: Implications for Injury Prevention
Principal Investigators: Ali Rowhani-Rahbar, University of Washington (Principal Investigator); Sabrina Oesterle, ASU (co-Investigator)
Funding: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2020-2024
The study focuses on rural communities where the high levels of firearm access and mortality, cultural influences, attitudes and risks associated with youth handgun carrying are understudied and underserved. The study is a collaboration with investigators from the University of Washington, Washington State University, Arizona State University, and Seattle Children’s Research Institute.
Promoting Health and Well-being among Latino Youth in Rural and Small Town Communities in the United States
Investigators: Katarina Guttmannova, University of Washington (Principle Investigator); Sabrina Oesterle, ASU (co-Investigator)
Funding: National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2020-2024
This project uses existing community-based longitudinal as well as national cross-sectional data to examine influences on health and well-being of rural Latino youth to understand health disparities in substance use and associated risk and protective factors.
The Relationship between Permissive Social, Normative, and Legal Marijuana Environments and Marijuana and ATOD use from Late Childhood to Young Adulthood (Community Youth Development Study, CYDS)
Principal Investigators: Sabrina Oesterle, ASU; Margaret Kuklinski, University of Washington
Funding: National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2018-2024
This study examines the interplay of social, normative, and legal marijuana contexts and its impact on marijuana and alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use from late childhood to the late 20s using survey data collected from a cohort of young adults followed since Grade 5 as part of the randomized trial of the Communities That Care (CTC) prevention system. The project also examines long-term effects of CTC on substance use and other behavioral health outcomes in young adulthood.
U54 Specialized Center of Excellence on Minority Health and Health Disparities Research
Leveraging Bio-Cultural Mechanisms to Maximize the Impact of Multi-Level Preventable Disease Interventions with Southwest Populations
Principal Investigator: Flavio Marsiglia
Funding: National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities, 2017-2024
The overarching aim of the Specialized Center of Excellence is to advance knowledge on the prevention of cardiometabolic disease and substance abuse disorders among the health disparities populations of the Southwest.
Every Little Step Counts: Follow-up of a Culturally-Grounded Diabetes Prevention Program for Obese Latino Adolescents (ELSC study part of U54 Specialized Center of Excellence)
Principal Investigator: Gabriel Shaibi
Funding: National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities, 2017-2024
Multi-level Effects of a Parenting Intervention for Enhancing Latino Youth Health Behaviors (FPNG+ study part of U54 Specialized Center of Excellence)
Principal Investigator: Sonia Vega-López
Funding: National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities, 2017-2024