The Johns Hopkins All Children’s Center for Pediatric Health Equity Research (CPHER) addresses child health disparities related to maternal/child health, obesity, diabetes, sickle cell disease and adolescent health. The program promotes diverse research efforts to address these disparities and understand the social determinants of pediatric health, disease onset and disease outcomes.

The center adopts a population health perspective in developing, implementing and investigating community-based, clinical, educational and quality improvement interventions toward pediatric health equity for children who have any component of their health care through the Johns Hopkins All Children’s health system.

One study underway at Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital is called PREDICT (Prospective Research on Early Determinants of Illness and Children's health Trajectories). This study will allow researchers to follow the health journeys of enrolled children and families. 

Current Studies Supported:

Targeting Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Efforts (DEI) in Defining the Ethical Legal and Social Implications (ELSI) for dGTEx Tissue Collection among Tissue Requesters (TRs) and Family Decision Makers (FDMs) of Deceased and At-Risk Children

This NIH funded study will leverage a 360-degree stakeholder framework to implement diversity, equity and inclusion strategies and tools towards engagement of a geographically, racial-ethnically and socio-culturally diverse populations of family decision makers, tissue requesters and Community Advisory Boards surrounding intention to donate pediatric tissue and biospecimens.

Assessment and Evaluation of AYA HIV EtHE Pillar Opportunities within the Tampa Bay Region: “PREP-ing” for a Tampa Bay-based AYA Rapid Assessment and Response Evaluation (RARE) Strategy

This study will catalyze initial JHACH-CFAR efforts through an assessment of existing AYA HIV surveillance data, characterization of AYA HIV care and prevention health systems, and collection and analysis of key qualitative data from community stakeholders and priority populations. Findings will be used as the foundation for an AYA HIV-focused Rapid Assessment and Response Evaluation strategy to be implemented in the Tampa Bay Region.

Johns Hopkins Alliance for a Healthier World COVID-19

Characterizing the social, economic and health impact of COVID-19 on vulnerable families. A Health Equity Perspective study will support the implementation of a novel family-impact index assessing eight different domains of family function as impacted by COVID-19 across three racially-ethnic and geographically diverse sites (Baltimore MD, Chapel Hill NC, St. Petersburg Florida). These data will allow for an in-depth understanding of the unique needs of families during the pandemic and will critically inform future interventions at the local, regional and national level.

Re-inventing HIV Screening and Access to Care among Teens Utilizing the Pediatric Emergency Department in Pinellas County Florida (RHISe U.P E.D Pinellas): A Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital/Center for AIDS Research Initiative

This study will assess and incorporate knowledge, attitudes and behaviors surrounding STI and HIV screening/ treatment with key stakeholders including PED interprofessional staff, AYA, parents/caretakers to inform development of a PED-based Health and Sexual Preparedness Program (HSPP) that will enhance STI and HIV screening rates among adolescents and young adults (13-24yrs) accessing care in the PED. This project will provide a foundation by which to expand prevention and treatment efforts within JHACH and expand connectivity of AYA to existing community STI/HIV resources.