The Meharry Community Engagement Core (Core) was conceptualized and launched in 2017 through funding from the Research Centers in Minority Institutions Program in Health Disparities Research from the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities. In partnership with a Community Advisory Board of passionate community members and leaders, the Core is led by researchers with experience in community-engaged, public health, and clinical research.

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The Core purposefully builds on the networks developed through the history of education, service, and practice of Meharry to achieve its vision: to eradicate health and healthcare disparities through long-term, collaborative, mutually beneficial community/academic research partnerships. The partnerships exist to actively engage the community in all phases of research activities and to enhance community-engaged research at Meharry. Furthermore, the partnerships facilitate and support efforts to achieve health equity and reduce racial and ethnic disparities in health and health outcomes.