The VSU Public Health Institute (VSUPHI) will become the vanguard at VSU for addressing health disparities within underserved groups through outreach, academic endeavors, public health workforce development and research agendas in preparation of public health professionals for the future.
VSUPHI will be a resource to marginalized communities and will seek to improve public health outcomes through research, education, and outreach. The VSUPHI will address the public health deficiencies in the immediate Central Virginia area and throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia in underserved communities where there is a significant need.
The VSUPHI seeks to support underserved communities with focus on African Americans, lower-income populations, rural communities, and overall racial inequality. There are multiple factors that contribute to the health care disparities with people of color and lower income populations including access to care, quality of care, availability of healthy foods, air/water quality, community safety, education, and economic insecurity. The interdisciplinary training approach with VSUPHI will also confront these multi-faceted socio-economic issues. And, as a result, generate evidence-based policy and administrative strategies for improving health and well-being in marginalized communities.
