Charting the Future of Health Equity Research: Lessons Learned and Future Aspirations for NHLBI's DECIPHeR Alliance.

Abstract

The Disparities Elimination through Coordinated Interventions to Prevent and Control Heart and Lung Disease Risk (DECIPHeR) research program, supported by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), focuses on developing and testing sustainable interventions to reduce heart and lung disease disparities. This perspective piece reflects on lessons learned during the planning phase (UG3) and outlines the accomplishments of the DECIPHeR Alliance. The article emphasizes the importance of a biphasic (UG3/UH3) funding mechanism, technical assistance, and collaborative subcommittees in achieving success. As DECIPHeR enters phase 2 (UH3), the article anticipates rigorously planned studies addressing social determinants of health and emphasizes the need for effective implementation strategies and equitable research frameworks. The Alliance's contributions, such as the IM4Equity framework, offer novel approaches to community-engaged health equity and implementation science research. The article explores future opportunities, including dissemination strategies, community engagement, and collaboration with diverse partners, to maximize DECIPHeR's impact on health disparities beyond cardiovascular and pulmonary health.