What is the Center for HOPE?
The mission of the Center for Health Outcomes and Population Equity (HOPE) is to bring communities and researchers together to create long-term solutions to prevent cancer and other preventable diseases and improve health among populations that have been historically marginalized.
The Center for HOPE, headed by David Wetter, PhD, MS, senior director of cancer health equity science at Huntsman Cancer Institute and associate director for practice engagement and translation at the University of Utah’s Clinical and Translational Science Institute, was recognized for its work by being awarded the C2 Catalyst for Health Equity Award in 2022. The award recognizes the work of those improving access to cancer prevention education, screening, and treatment.
Collaborations & Affiliations
The Center for HOPE serves as a bridge between scientists and community organizations throughout Utah and the Mountain West.
Center for HOPE Team
The Center for HOPE team includes 25 people committed to health equity and community-engaged research.
Programs and Research
The Center for HOPE focuses on three main research areas:
- Cancer health inequities among underserved populations, particularly those related to socioeconomic status, rural/frontier status, and race/ethnicity
- Implementation and dissemination of evidence-based interventions for cancer and chronic disease prevention and control
- Behavioral interventions to reduce cancer and chronic disease risk
To date, the Center for HOPE has brought in research funding from a variety of national organizations including the National Institutes of Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute, the American Cancer Society, and the Ben B. and Iris M. Margolis Foundation.
The Center for HOPE has also partnered with Primary Care Associations and community health centers outside of Utah, but still in the five-state area served by Huntsman Cancer Institute. This includes addressing survivorship in Montana and tobacco cessation among adults and youth in Nevada.
Additionally, the Center for HOPE has partnered with UHealth Plans and UHealth to address lifestyle change interventions and HPV vaccination among eligible Medicaid patients. The Center for HOPE also takes part in a number of mobile health (mHealth) initiatives, including Affective Science: The Smoking Study, Break Free, and MARS: Mobile Assistance for Regulating Smoking.
“The Center for HOPE is committed to community-engaged research that focuses on priorities of our community partners.”
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I partner with the Center for HOPE?
If you or your organization is interested in a research or program partnership, please contact Melissa Hall at melissa.hall@hci.utah.edu or 801-213-6199
Does the Center for HOPE have clinical space?
The Center for HOPE and Populations Sciences Research Clinic covers an area of nearly 4,000 square feet at Huntsman Cancer Institute. Within this space are three examination rooms, eight consultation rooms, one large staging office, one preparation room with clean and dirty work areas, two large conference rooms, and a waiting area.