Participate in Research
Participate in Forge AHEAD-Funded Research Projects
Forge AHEAD Center focuses on research for the prevention and treatment of cardiometabolic diseases. With your help, we can improve health outcomes for diabetes, obesity, and hypertension throughout the South.
There are plenty of opportunities for everyone to get involved! Explore below.
Stepping Into Lifestyle Change (SILC) is a research study focused on healthy weight loss among African American women, age 30 or older, who are pre-diabetic and/or have high blood pressure and who live, work, or worship in select rural communities throughout Alabama and Mississippi. This project is implementing and evaluating weight loss programs of improved diet and increased physical activity.
The study is enrolling women 30 years or older who self identify as Black and/or African American and live, work, or worship in one of 12 specific intervention communities of rural Alabama counties. These individuals must also have a measured BMI over 25 and at least one other cardiometabolic risk factor (ex. hypertension).
See the link below for more information and additional criteria for eligibility.
PROPEL-IT stands for Promoting Successful Weight Loss in Primary Care in Louisiana using Information Technology. This study is being conducted to determine if a two-year weight loss program that uses virtual health coaching will help Black adults with obesity and diabetes (Type 2) or prediabetes lose more weight and improve their quality of life compared to patients receiving usual medical care.
You may be eligible to participate in this study if you live in Louisiana, have an Ochsner Health primary care provider, identify as Black or African American, are between age 40-70, have a BMI between 30 and 50 and have prediabetes or Type 2 diabetes. Participants must also have an internet-connected device they are willing to use for coaching sessions.
For more information on eligibility and expectations, follow the link below.
In the Food Delivery, Remote Monitoring, and Coaching-Enhanced Education for Optimized Diabetes Management (FREEDOM) study, investigators are working to develop optimized, multilevel interventions that might be used in the future for better control of Type 2 diabetes. With the help of research participants in Alabama and Mississippi, they hope to learn the best combination of digital health coaching, food box delivery, and remote patient monitoring that works for people with diabetes as well as another chronic condition (ex. coronary artery disease, chronic kidney disease).
People with Type 2 diabetes who are at least 18 years old and self-identify as Black or African American may qualify to participate if they also are in ongoing insulin treatment, have a primary care physician. There are additional eligibility requirements and some exclusions, so learn more at the link below.
Research with Partner Institutions
If you are interested in participating in research studies in your area, visit these institutional websites where you will find even more opportunities to contribute.
Look for Even More Volunteer Opportunities
- Search and explore past and present research projects at ClinicalTrials.gov.
- Join ResearchMatch.org and stay connected to current and future opportunities of interest to you.
Latest News from the Forge AHEAD Center
Closing the gap: managing high blood pressure after an ER visit
Leaving the emergency room with dangerously high blood pressure can feel overwhelming. For many patients, the support ends the moment they walk out the door. A new pilot program at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) is changing that by helping patients take charge of their health from home.
Smarter follow-up and safer care: how AI could support men with diabetes
At the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), Forge AHEAD investigator Seung-Yup Lee, Ph.D., is leading a pilot study that combines artificial intelligence with clinical data to prevent medication mix-ups and help patients get the follow-up they need.
Empowering stroke survivors in Alabama’s rural communities
While May marked Stroke Awareness Month, the need to support stroke survivors continues year-round—especially in rural communities where resources can be limited.
George Dixon recognized for outstanding community contributions
George Dixon, a member of the Forge AHEAD Community Advisory Board (CAB) and Director of the Mississippi SHINE Project, recently received notable awards at the Healthy Mississippi Conference and the Community Health Worker Conference.
Men’s health awareness month: a local boost for body and mind
June is Men’s Health Awareness Month. With longer days and warm weather, this time of year offers an opportunity to reinforce the importance of prevention and encourage healthy habits.
Breaking the silence: why men’s mental health matters
Many men face barriers to addressing mental health concerns, often shaped by longstanding social expectations and personal responsibilities. The Alabama Department of Public Health recently shared several reasons why some men hesitate to seek support.
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.
