Development of the Soldier Health Promotion to Examine and Reduce Health Disparities (SHPERHD) Project Coordinating Center: Challenges and Opportunities Within a University/Community Partnership

Abstract

The Soldier Health Promotion to Examine and Reduce Health Disparities (SHPERHD) Project was designed to be a partnership between the Institute for Partnerships to Eliminate Health Disparities at the University of South Carolina and the Fort Jackson United States Army Base located in Columbia, South Carolina. SHPERHD Project researchers are studying problems related to obesity and weight management, musculoskeletal injuries and infection, and mental health issues during recruitment, basic training, and post-deployment. In order to successfully develop targeted interventions to prevent and lower the incidence of injury, promote healthy nutrition, and decrease mental health issues, at the same time also reducing disparity gaps, the SHPERHD Project comprises a professional, technical, and administrative staff with specifi c competence in the operation of a Coordinating Center to handle the wide variety of areas related to military studies. This article discusses the procedures and processes that were implemented in the development of the SHPERHD Project Coordinating Center.