South Bay Latino Research Center

    What is the South Bay Latino Research Center?

    The mission of the South Bay Latino Research Center (SBLRC) is to build the evidence base regarding 1) social determinants, 2) psychosocial, 3) cultural and 4) environmental factors associated with chronic disease risks and to design, implement, and evaluate culturally appropriate interventions that improve health and reduce health inequities in the Latino/Hispanic population.

    To achieve our research mission, Drs. Gallo and Talavera and the entire SBLRC team participate in training and mentoring students and investigators at different stages of career development from the undergraduate to the early career level.
     
    We are especially grateful for the opportunity to mentor trainees and students who are from backgrounds historically underrepresented in science and healthcare, as a way to accelerate efforts to achieve health equity.
     

    In the heart of San Diego

    Located 17 miles southwest from the main SDSU campus, the SBLRC is a community-based research facility with more than 12,000 feet of clinical research space.

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    Current Projects

    The SBLRC conducts research to examine the prevalence and incidence of major chronic conditions that disproportionately impact Hispanics/Latinos. Our projects identify risk and protective factors across levels of the socio-ecological model that predict these conditions and outcomes.

    The HCHS/SOL is a multi-center, longitudinal cohort study of health among the U.S. Hispanic/Latino population.

    Sponsored by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) and other institutions, centers and offices of the NIH, the study enrolled over 16,000 adults ages 18-75 from four U.S. cities - Bronx, NY; Chicago, IL; Miami, FL; and San Diego, CA. All major heritage groups of the U.S. Hispanic/Latino population were represented (Central American, Cuban, Dominican, Mexican, Puerto Rican, South American).

    Conditions of interest include but are not limited to:

    • coronary heart disease
    • cerebrovascular diseases
    • obesity
    • diabetes
    • asthma
    • chronic obstructive lung disease

    Participants completed a comprehensive clinical examination (2008-2011), more than 80% completed a repeat clinical examination approximately six years later (2014-2017), and a third examination is currently in progress. Annual follow-up examinations are conducted by phone to update information and determine the occurrence of major cardiovascular and pulmonary events.

    For more information about this study, please visit:

    https://www.cscc.unc.edu/hchs/

    http://www.saludsol.net/hchsnews/

    https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/science/hispanic-community-health-studystudy-latinos-hchssol

    Cardiovascular Health of Sexual and Gender Minorities in the HCHS/SOL

    Principal Investigators: Drs. Krista Perreira and Tonia Poteat, the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill & Dr. Linda C. Gallo, San Diego State University

    The goal of this study is to examine relationships between sexual/gender minority stress, coping, social support and heart disease - a leading cause of death among Hispanic/Latinos in the U.S. Findings will inform the development of culturally-appropriate interventions to address psychosocial factors that may contribute to cardiovascular health disparities by sexual orientation and gender identity.

    Characterization of Sedentary Patterns and Cardiovascular Disease Risk Markers in Hispanics/Latinos (SOL VIDA)

    Principal Investigators: Dr. Jordan Carlson, Children's Mercy Kansas City & Dr. Linda C. Gallo, San Diego State University

    The goal of this study is to investigate associations between prolonged sedentary patterns and adiposity, insulin resistance and blood glucose in the HCHS/SOL.

    Peripheral Artery Disease Study in HCHS/SOL (SOL PASOS)

    Principal Investigators: Dr. Robert Kaplan, Albert Einstein College of Medicine & Dr. Kuni Matsushita, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health & Dr. Gregory A. Talavera, San Diego State University

    This study aims to characterize the impact of peripheral artery disease (PAD) on free-living daily physical activity and to examine the value of objective assessment of daily physical activity for PAD management, diagnosis and risk stratification in the HCHS/SOL cohort. Through comprehensive clinical assessment of lower extremity blood vessels, multi-day accelerometry and physical function testing, this study will address the hypothesis that PAD will be identifiable by suboptimal usual activity patterns including longer sedentary time, higher activity fragmentation and diurnal patterns of activity.

    Neighborhood Greenness and Cardiometabolic Health among Hispanics (SOL Greenness)

    Principal Investigators: Dr. Scott Brown and Dr. José Szapocznik, University of Miami & Dr. Linda C. Gallo, San Diego State University

    This study investigates the impact of cumulative greenness exposure on cardiovascular and metabolic risk factors among participants from the HCHS/SOL Miami and San Diego communities.

    Environmental Factors and Diabetes Development in Latinos (SOL AIR)

    Principal Investigators: Dr. Joel Kaufman, University of Washington & Dr. Linda C. Gallo, San Diego State University

    The SOL Air study aims to:

    1. Assess whether long-term exposures to traffic-related air pollutants increase risk of pre-diabetes and type 2 diabetes among Hispanics/Latinos
    2. Determine how built and natural environmental features relate to the risk of type 2 diabetes
    3. Determine how environmental factors are related to physical activity
    4. Determine if traffic-related air pollutant exposures during outdoor physical activity reduce the beneficial effects of activity on diabetes or pre-diabetes among participants from HCHS/SOL.
    Coronary Artery Calcium and its Association with Protective/Risk Factors and Epigenetic Patterns in Diverse Us Hispanic/Latino Adults

    Principal Investigators: Dr. Martha Daviglus, University of Illinois, Chicago & Dr. Matthew Budoff, University of California, Los Angeles & Dr. Lifhang Hou, Northwestern University and Feinberg School of Medicine & Dr. Linda C. Gallo, San Diego State University

    This study will address gaps in current scientific knowledge on the prevalence and extent of coronary artery calcium (CAC), plaque volume and density, coronary remodeling, and ectopic fat deposits and their relationships with cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors and profiles in diverse US Hispanic/Latino heritage groups. Computed tomography scans of the heart will be performed in a sample of 6400 HCHS/SOL participants, ages 45 years and older with no history of CVD at the time of scan.

    Epidemiology of the gut microbiome, prediabetes and diabetes in Latinos (SOL GOLD)

    Principal Investigators: Dr. Robert Kaplan, Albert Einstein College of Medicine & Dr. Robert D. Burk, University of California, San Diego & Dr. Gregory A. Talavera, San Diego State University

    The SOL GOLD study is testing the hypothesis that specific patterns of the gut microbiome will be significantly associated with pre-diabetes and diabetes, building upon recent advances in understanding the importance of the gut microbiome in human health and metabolic diseases. The proposed research will collect and determine the genetic composition of the fecal microbiome from 2000 HCHS/SOL cohort members.

    Additional Studies Ongoing
    Identifying Digital Phenotypes of Risk for Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias (Salud Tech)

    Principal Investigators: Drs. Maria Marquine and Raeanne Moore, University of California, San Diego & Dr. Linda C. Gallo, San Diego State University

    The goal of this study is to identify digital phenotypes of risk for Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRDs) with a focus on vascular contributions to Alzheimer's disease (AD), among Hispanics/Latinos using a combination of multiple digital data sources, obtained via passive and unobtrusive data collection methods in the real world.

    Mechanisms of Disparities in Adverse Neurocognitive Outcomes among Hispanics Aging with HIV (HLA2)

    Principal Investigators: Dr. Maria Marquine, University of California, San Diego & Dr. Gregory A. Talavera, San Diego State University

    This study is using a combined cross-sectional and longitudinal design to identify key mechanisms underlying adverse neurocognitive outcomes among Hispanics aging with HIV. The study integrates aspects of the physical/built and sociocultural environment that have been linked to metabolic syndrome and NCI and their influence on neurocognitive disparities in HIV.

    Latinos Understanding the Need for adherence in Diabetes using Care Coordination, Integrated Medical and Behavioral Care and E-health (LUNA-E)

    Principal Investigators: Drs. Gregory A. Talavera and Linda C. Gallo, San Diego State University

    This randomized control trial will test the effective of an innovative patient-centered, team-based primary care intervention in improving diabetes outcomes in Latino patients of San Ysidro Health (SYH), a large federally qualified health center in San Diego County. If shown to be effective, LUNA-E has potential for broad dissemination due to its community partnered approach, reliance on e-health and implementation within a large exemplar primary care environment.

    My Bridge to Better Cardiometabolic Health and Well-Being (Mi Puente)

    Principal Investigators: Dr. Athena Philis-Tsimikas, Scripps Health & Dr. Linda C. Gallo, San Diego State University

    The major goal of this project is to conduct a community-based randomized control trial to test the effectiveness of "Mi Puente," a nurse and volunteer community mentor, care transitions bridging program for Hispanics/Latinos hospitalized with chronic cardiovascular or metabolic conditions and with complicating behavioral health concerns, in reducing rehospitalizations and improving patient reported health outcomes.

    Adaptive mHealth Intervention for Underserved Hispanics with Diabetes (Dulce Digital-ME)

    Principal Investigators: Dr. Athena Philis-Tsimikas, Scripps Whittier Diabetes Institute, Scripps Health & Dr. Linda C. Gallo, San Diego State University

    The Dulce Digital-ME study aims to conduct a comparative effectiveness trial of three mHealth, primary-care intervention approaches designed to improve patient engagement and clinical control in 414 underserved Hispanic/Latino adults with poorly controlled type 2 diabetes.

    Get Involved

    Aid SBLRC in promoting the health of Hispanic/Latino communities