A Collaborative Health Equity Research Center
Forge AHEAD Center is a regional comprehensive research center that focuses on the prevention and management of cardiometabolic diseases, including obesity, diabetes, and hypertension (HTN), associated with health disparities in Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana.
At Forge AHEAD Center, our focus is to achieve health equity by addressing health disparities, and enhancing access to health care and public health, so that Deep South communities are filled with knowledgeable and healthy people.
Funded by a grant from the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD), Forge AHEAD Center is a part of the Health Equity Action Network.
Heersink
Pennington
Tuskegee
MS Med Center
Institutions Partnering in a Center For Health Equity
Forge AHEAD Center is a partnership between institutions working together to develop the best approaches to research, education, and community engagement.
Our Vision for a Healthier Future
The vision of Forge AHEAD Center is to achieve health equity by eliminating health disparities and improving health outcomes in diabetes, obesity, and hypertension throughout the South. Our vision is accomplished through effective partnerships with academic, non-academic, and community organizations to support research, training, outreach, and education.
Our Values in Achieving Health Equity
Teamwork
DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION
EXCELLENCE IN RESEARCH
TRUSTWORTHINESS
Transparency
Innovation
Transitioning from Health Disparities to Better Health For All
Forge AHEAD Center is motivated to improve current health issues in our region. Inequalities in cardiometabolic health have long been a concern. Now, in some cases, these inequalities have widened across racial, socio-economic, and geographic lines. In the “Deep South” region of the United States of America (USA) rates of obesity, diabetes, and hypertension are the highest in the nation. Life expectancy in the Deep South is substantially lower than other regions, and this difference is even greater for Black Americans living in the area.
Elimination of these disparities – health equity for all – is our ultimate goal. Reaching health equity will require a precision public health approach, best viewed as “providing the right intervention to the right population at the right time.” This approach acknowledges the importance of context, culture, individual beliefs, and preferences, and emphasizes the needs for intervention on multiple levels addressing several areas of health and wellness.
In The News & Local Events
Our Projects
Our Services
People & Partners
Advance Health Equity With Us
Contact us today to learn more about the Forge AHEAD Center, our research, and how to partner with us.
Cite Forge AHEAD's Grant
Forge AHEAD Center is a regional comprehensive research center funded by a P50 grant from the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD). Click below for citation information.
