Non-communicable chronic diseases (NCDs) have rapidly become the largest health problem facing the world. In China, for example, over 80% of all deaths are caused by NCDs. Prevention and control of NCDs is an urgent global and national public health priority. The NCD research program of GHRC focuses on heart disease, stroke, hypertension, diabetes and common risk factors for these and other conditions such as tobacco use, unhealthy diet, inadequate physical activity, overweight/obesity, and mental illnesses.
We examine causes and risks of these conditions through genetic/epigenetic, metabolomic and epidemiological methods. We also explore innovative ways to promote health through multiple behavioral changes, use of information and communication technology, improvement of healthcare quality, health systems research, and others. Our emphases are on wellness, prevention and how to translate scientific evidence into practical uses. (See below for more details about our projects)
Projects
System-Integrated Technology-Enabled Model of Care Aiming to Improve the Health of Stroke Patients in Resource-Poor Settings in China (SINEMA project)
The aim of this project is to improve essential evidence-based care to stroke survivors in rural China through equipping village doctors and family caregivers with training and digital health technology. With a plan to involve village doctors, stroke patients and family caregivers, the study will be conducted in 50 villages in Nanhe county of Hebei Province, an area within the “stroke belt” in China.
Investigators: Lijing Yan, Alba Amaya-Burns, Janet Bettger, Elizabeth Turner, Shenglan Tang, Ninghua Wang, Yilong Wang, Cheng Sun, Wanbing Gu, Enying Gong
Research on How to Tackle an Aging Society – Analysis using the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS Project)
The aim of this project is to shed new light on a better understanding of the determinants of human healthy aging. Our specific focus is to explore how lifestyle factors and psychological conditions influence the disease/death outcomes among oldest-old (≥80 years) in China.
Investigators: Yi Zeng (PI), Lijing Yan (co-PI), Cheng Sun, Enying Gong
More info about CLHLS:
Related Website: http://centerforaging.duke.edu/chinese-longitudinal-healthy-longevity-su...
Engaging community health workers in combating non-communicable diseases in Asia: Strategies, approaches and practice (Bangladesh, China, Nepal and Vietnam) (COACH Project)
This project will be conducted in four countries-Bangladesh, China, Nepal and Vietnam. This project will include situation analyses of community health workers(CHWs)-delivered NCDs prevention and control services in these four countries and exploratory studies to provide policy recommendations.
Investigators: Abu Abdullah (PI), Niying Li
Feasibility Assessment of Invigorating Grassroots Primary Healthcare for Cardiovascular Prevention and Management in Low-resource Settings in China, Vietnam and Kenya (FAITH study)
This is a cross-country study aiming to assess whether the current primary healthcare services are capable to deliver essential healthcare services for the prevention and control of cardiovascular diseases in resource-limited settings in China, Kenya and Vietnam. We adopted mixed methods including literature review, facility assessment surveys and stakeholder interviews and recruited about 300 cardiovascular disease patients from around 30 primary healthcare facilities.
Investigators: Lijing Yan (PI), Enying Gong
A Pragmatic Trial on Rehabilitation through Caregiver-Delivered Nurse-Organized Service Program for Disabled Stroke Patients in Dianjiang County. (RECOVER study)
The aim of this project is to develop, implement, and evaluate an evidence-based caregiver-delivered stroke rehabilitation program designed to improve the physical functioning of disabled stroke patients in rural China. The project employs a randomized control trial recruiting 185 stroke patients in three county hospitals (in Liaoning, Ningxia and Chongqing respectively).
Investigators: Janet Bettger, Lijing Yan (Co-PI), Wanbing Gu
More info about RECOVER:
Link to Paper: http://wso.sagepub.com/content/early/2016/07/22/1747493016654290.abstract
Surveillance for Use of Healthcare Services among Residents in Jiangsu Province
The main aim of this project is to understand the current features of health service utilization and expenditure, as well as the financial burden of healthcare expenditures placed on the residents of Jiangsu Province. It investigated one rural area and one urban area that contain 1057 people in total who might have non-communicable diseases or acute diseases to compare service utilization such as in-patient and out-patient conditions in different region. Furthermore, we also study on how medical cost determine people’s decision on utilizing healthcare services by analyzing the dynamic monitored data collected from these two regions.
Investigators: Shenglan Tang, Lijing Yan, Weixi Jiang
The Adherence and Knowledge Exchange Heart Disease Medicines (TAKEmeds study)
This study is a pre-post interventional study. The main aim of this project is to develop a provider-facing mobile application that facilitates prescription of evidence-based medications and medication adherence for patients with established coronary heart diseases. During the 12-week study period, 174 patients from Shanghai and Hainan were followed up.
Investigators: JD Schwalm (PI) Lijing Yan(Co-PI), Shu Chen, Enying Gong
