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Mindful living, better living: supporting diabetes care through stress relief in Alabama’s Black Belt
In Alabama’s Black Belt region, the number of adults living with type 2 diabetes is far above the national average. In some counties, like Wilcox and Perry, nearly 1 in 5 adults—about 19%—have been diagnosed with the condition.
Lifting each other up: how peer support is transforming chronic disease management
“People with similar health challenges can truly lift each other up,” said Michele Heisler, M.D., Professor at the University of Michigan, during a Forge AHEAD seminar at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
Finding peace in the heart of Alabama: how yoga can help heart patients stay sharp
Living with heart failure can feel like a daily battle—not just for your body, but for your mind. Many people with heart failure also experience mild cognitive impairment, which is a real condition characterized by problems with memory, language, and judgment. It’s not just “getting older”. It’s a real condition that can make managing your health even harder.
Self-care, support, and stress awareness
April is Stress Awareness Month—a meaningful time to reflect on how stress impacts our well-being and to find supportive ways to care for ourselves and one another. For Sisters4Self-Care Ambassador Erika Parker, this isn’t just a seasonal message—it’s a lifelong mission rooted in community strength, daily intention, and holistic wellness.
Forge AHEAD Center welcomes champion for community engagement in Louisiana
The Forge AHEAD Center is excited to welcome Andrea Pickett, Louisiana Clinical and Translational Science Center (LA CaTS) Community Engagement and Outreach Program coordinator at Pennington Biomedical Research Center, to our growing team.
Forge AHEAD Center launches Community Micro-Grant Program to strengthen health initiatives across the deep south
The Forge AHEAD Center is proud to announce the launch of its Community Micro-Grant Program, an initiative designed to support organizations in Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi that are working to improve health outcomes related to diabetes, obesity, and hypertension.
Enhancing food access in Mississippi: How Stewpot and Mississippi Food Network are driving community solutions
What if accessing your next nutritious meal was uncertain? For nearly one in six Mississippians, this is a daily reality.
Bridging science and action: three scholars tackle heart health challenges
The March event featured three Forge AHEAD scholars who shared their research on addressing cardiovascular health through behavioral interventions. Their work, spanning financial wellness, food insecurity, and maternal health, highlights the need for integrated solutions that go beyond traditional public health approaches.
Exploring genetics, nutrition, and food access in Baton Rouge
Where you live shouldn’t determine your ability to access fresh, nutritious food. But for many in North Baton Rouge, it does. In parts of Baton Rouge—especially North Baton Rouge and Scotlandville—accessing fresh, nutritious food is a challenge rather than a choice.
Follow-up: how nutrition is transforming maternal health in Alabama
Last year, Forge AHEAD featured the work of Camille Worthington, Ph.D., RDN, an assistant professor at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, who is studying how home-delivered meals could improve pregnancy outcomes for Medicaid-eligible women in Alabama.
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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.
