wfn.org | Meharry teams with research center to examine alcohol abuse

["NewsDesk" <NewsDesk@UMCOM.ORG>]

Nov. 26, 2002 News media contact: Linda Green7(615) 742-54707Nashville, Tenn.
    10-31-71B{550}

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS)-United Methodist-related Meharry Medical College has
engaged in a partnership with a behavorial health research center to examine
why racial and ethnic groups have greater problems with alcohol and to
determine methods of effective treatment. 

The historically black professional college is collaborating with the Center
for Addiction and Behavioral Health Research, an affiliate of the University
of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, to develop research that will identify racial and
ethnic disparities in the causes and consequences of alcohol-related
problems. 

"This collaboration aligns Meharry's excellent clinical program with the
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee's strong research expertise," said PonJola
Coney, senior vice president for health affairs and dean of the School of
Medicine at Meharry.

"Through its work in treating alcohol abuse among high-risk groups, Meharry
has developed one of the largest databases of patient information in this
field, which can now be utilized by the Center for Addiction and Behavioral
Health Research researchers," Coney explained. "In return, Meharry will
benefit from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and the Center for
Addiction and Behavioral Health Research's intensive research focus,
enhancing our efforts in obtaining grant funding."

The collaboration was announced Nov. 7 during a Milwaukee ceremony where the
agreement was signed.  The two institutions have been forging a partnership
for more than two years and have received encouragement and seed money from
the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.

Meharry Medical College is the nation's largest private, independent
historically black institution dedicated solely to educating health science
professionals and is particularly well known for its emphasis on the special
primary health care needs of minorities, the poor and the disadvantaged of
America. 

The Center for Addiction and Behavioral Health Research is a collaborative
endeavor between academic institutions and health care institutions with a
main objective to promote and conduct interdisciplinary research in the
fields of behavioral health and substance abuse.
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United Methodist News Service
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