Mission

Designed for Discovery.
Fueled by Purpose.

The mission of the Research Center is to foster innovation and discovery by aligning with tenants that understand the urgency to combat disparities in healthcare accessibility, disease incidence, treatment, and outcomes. Situated in Washington’s lively Shaw neighborhood and immediately adjacent to the campus of historic Howard University, the Research Center will offer organizations and their workforce the ability to partner with the University’s College of Medicine, hospital, and extensive undergraduate and graduate public health and STEM programs to foster the next generation of talent.

Health disparities are complex, urgent challenges that directly impact millions of lives daily. Addressing disparities in health outcomes and achieving the highest level of health for all people—regardless of race, ethnicity, age, gender, or individual characteristics—requires collaboration from every part of the healthcare system. Government policymakers, hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, innovative start-ups, health-focused non-profits, and healthcare organizations all have a critical role in removing barriers to health equity. The National Research Center for Health Disparities will be a landmark lab space and keystone location for leaders in this vital effort.

NRCHD Advisory Council

The National Research Center for Health Disparities will be a landmark lab space and keystone location for leaders in this vital effort.

Additional members to be named in the future.

  • Dr. Wayne A.I. Frederick

    PRESIDENT EMERITUS

    Howard University

  • Francis Collins

    FORMER DIRECTOR

    NIH

  • Dr. Reed Tuckson

    FORMER CHIEF

    Medical Officer UnitedHealth

  • Trustee Kevin Lofton

    BOARD MEMBER

    Gilead

  • Dr. Harriet Washington

    AUTHORER & LECTURER

    in bioethics Columbia University

  • Dr. Dorothy E. Roberts

    PROFESSOR OF LAW & SOCIOLOGY

    UPENN

  • Karen E. Knudsen

    CEO

    American Cancer Society

  • Dr. David Williams

    CHAIR, DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL & BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES

    Harvard University

Health Disparities by the Numbers

  • + CANCER MORTALITY RATE

    Compared to other racial and ethnic groups, Black Americans have the highest mortality rate for all cancers combined.

  • + BLOOD PRESSURE & STROKE RISK

    Black Americans are 1.4 times as likely to have high blood pressure as non-Hispanic White Americans and 60% more likely to have a stroke.

  • + DIABETES RATES

    American Indians, Alaska Natives (AIAN) and Black Americans are twice as likely to have diabetes than non-Hispanic White Americans of similar age.

  • + LIFE EXPECTANCY

    As of 2018, life expectancy among Black Americans was four years lower than White Americans, with the lowest expectancy among Black American men.

  • + INFANT MORTALITY

    Black Americans have 2.4 times the infant mortality rate as non-Hispanic White Americans.

  • + MATERNAL HEALTH

    Black women are three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than White women; the pregnancy-related mortality rate for Black women aged 30-34 is four times that of White women.

  • + SICKLE CELL ANEMIA

    About 1 in 13 Black or African-American babies is born with the sickle cell trait. The average life expectancy for people with the most severe form of SCD is 30 years shorter than those without SCD.

Mission-Driven Collaboration
with Howard University

Howard University’s planned $1.4 billion investment in a new hospital, health sciences complex, and STEM center—all to be completed by 2026—will be a key addition to the existing life sciences infrastructure at the University and in greater Washington, D.C.

Howard’s Health Commitment & Investment

  • $785M in New Academic Facilities

  • $650M in New Howard University Hospital

  • $122M in Research Fundraising FY 2022

  • #2 University for PhDs Awarded to Black Scholars

  • #1 Training Institution for Minority Physicians