The University of Iowa PRC-RH conducts community-based research aimed at promoting the health and well-being of rural Iowans.The UI PRC-RH maintains strong partnerships with other UI centers and collaborates on research projects. Dr. Snetselaar, Associate Director of the PRC-RH, is the founder and Director of the UI Nutrition Center.  The Nutrition Center includes a group of registered dietitians, and involves collaboration with faculty from the departments of Community and Behavioral Health, Epidemiology, Occupational and Environmental Health, and Biostatistics.  The Center has a local presence with Iowa community stakeholders including multiple school districts and Iowa State University. The UI Center on Aging provides research-related resources valuable to the PRC-RH such as a volunteer patient registry, a searchable database of investigators interested in aging research, and assistance with locating national and other data sources related to aging. Dr. Robert Wallace is the Director and is also an investigator of the PRC-RH. We are also well connected with our CTSA enterprise in the College of Medicine. Dr. Edith Parker the Director of the PRC-RH is Community Engagement Key Function Director of the University of Iowa CTSA.

Our advisory board has members from IDPH, the Keokuk County Health department, and the Washington County Public Health Department.  In 2005-2006 the PRC-RH evaluated grant proposals for the IDPH Harkin Community Wellness Grants. The PRC-RH has also conducted two trainings in 2010 (April and September) for the IDPH Community Wellness Grantees. PRC-RH investigators and students have frequently participated in the Iowa Public Health Association annual meeting (also known as the “Governor’s Conference”), an event dominated by professionals working in local and state health departments.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      

The State Advisory Board (SAB)

In December 2008, the first meeting of the new PRC-RH advisory board met at the University of Iowa. Members of the current SAB include individuals from local and state health departments and the UI College of Public Health. These individuals have expertise in nutrition, health, communication, rural health and community engagement as well as individuals representing specific projects partnering with the PRC-RH. The PRC-RH will draw on the expertise of members in regard to evaluation of the PRC-RH and its components. For example, the SAB will help us understand whether we have the appropriate infrastructure resources in place, the scientific expertise to support our research agenda, whether we are disseminating our research findings adequately and to the right people/groups, and ultimately, whether we are effecting the outcomes and impact we intend.

Advisory Board Operating Principles click here to read (available to SAB members only)

Note Meeting Audio and minutes are available only to SAB members via coded access.

Meeting Audio April 2010

Meeting Audio October 2010

Meeting Minutes April 2010

Meeting Minutes October 2010