The ComPASS program provides an unprecedented opportunity to design innovative intervention projects that focus on social determinants of health for community-empowered research. The program will enable communities and researchers to work collaboratively as equal partners in all phases of the research process to enhance the quality of interventions and advance health disparities research. The intent of this research is to improve health outcomes in communities affected by health disparities and inform social policies, systems, and practices to achieve optimal health for all. Rather than tackling inequities one disease, organ system, or life stage at a time, Compass will develop an NIH-wide strategy to address structural factors that impact multiple dimensions of health.

Partners: UCLA Clinical Translational Science, Charles Drew University, Watts Rising Community Leadership Council

The Community Leadership Council (CLC) was formed in April 2024 as a way to directly involve community members and Watts stakeholders in the design and implementation of the selected intervention. The council will convene once a month for the next 2 years and will hold conversations around various social determinants of health. By the end of the 2 years, the council will decide on and design a specific program (“intervention”) to tackle Watts’ most pressing health needs.

Presentation slides for the first CLC meeting can be found here. 

Presentation with Los Angeles County health data can be found here.