Below are profiles of a few of the research projects currently being led by CDH-affiliated investigators.

Behavioral Research Profile

Mental Health Issues Around Adolescent Transitioning into Adulthood
Madison Site: Mental Health Center of Dane County
Investigators: Peggy Hatfield, PhD/Scott Solberg, PhD

A coalition of government, academic, and community organizations are working together to investigate issues related to adolescent transitioning into adulthood. Youth with mental health issues, but without ready access to services, are often in need of educational, emotional, and medical support. The work group will examine multi-year data collected by the Madison Metropolitan School District on the incidence and prevalence of depression in the middle school population. In addition, the group will perform a readinesss evaluation of 16-25 year olds from those seeking services at MHCDC and conduct qualitative interviews with adolescents who have successfully made this transition. The overall objective is to collect information to influence policy makers regarding the need for more effective strategies to aid youth during this phase of their lives.

Pilot Projects

The National Center for Minority Health and Health Disparities recently granted approval to the CDH EXPORT Center to fund several pilot research projects led by affiliated junior faculty. Some of the ongoing projects include:

Am I My Brother’s Keeper: Providing Access to Low-Income Males
David Pate, Assistant Professor, UW-Milwaukee, Social Work

The project examines the health care needs of ex-prisoners and their access to care. This study includes an investigation of service intersections and effects; operation of existing programs; and, the design of a demonstration addressing deficiencies in existing health care systems.

Latino and African American Families of Children on the Autism Spectrum
Sandra Magaña, Assistant Professor, UW Madison, Social Work

The study seeks to provide information leading to the reduction of disparities in services to Latino and African American families of children on the autism spectrum.

Use of MobileCHESS to Improve Asthma Outcomes
Christine Sorkness, Professor, UW Madison, Pharmacy and Medicine

The overall goal of the MobileCHESS pilot is to develop and test a mobiel interactive health communication system to improve asthma management among adolescents.