Center for Health Equity Research (CHER)

Our Center supports the belief that everyone should have a fair opportunity to attain her or his full health potential; no one should be at a disadvantage to achieve this potential; and all individuals should have equal access to available care for equal need, equal utilization for equal need, and equal quality of care for all (Whitehead, 1992). Our focus on health equity is compatible with our desire to promote health disparity research. Health disparities are unequal opportunities to be healthy associated with membership in less privileged social groups, such as people who live in poverty; people who are incarcerated; disenfranchised racial, ethnic, or religious groups or communities; women; lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered individuals and communities; people who migrate to obtain employment; inner city dwellers; and rural residents.

CHER Mission
The mission of the Center for Health Equity Research is to improve health among those who have experienced social or economic disadvantage. Center scientists focus on reducing or eliminating disparities in health outcomes and healthcare access. A particular goal is to create, support, and maintain a state of equity for disempowered, marginalized, vulnerable, and underrepresented populations through knowledge development and research training. By its very nature, health equity requires maximizing the highest level of health possible for all individuals, communities, societies, and the globe. Global engagement in the dialogue about health equity, and carrying out programs of research to understand, address, and promote health equity around the world is central to our mission. Our mission also includes the research training of the future cadre of scientists who will develop independent programs of funded research in the area of health equity and health disparities.