The University of Maryland Prevention Research Center (UMD-PRC) is working to improve mental health and health care for LGBTQ+ people with new funding from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for $3.75 million over five years (2019-2024).

“We are proud to be one of only 25 academic institutions to receive CDC funding for our Prevention Research Center,” said Dr. Laurie Locascio, Vice President for Research at the University of Maryland. “I am hopeful about the difference that our University of Maryland research leaders can make in improving mental health for the underserved LGBTQ community across the United States.”

This initiative brings together a diverse team of researchers from the University of Maryland, College Park’s School of Public Health, along with a growing coalition of LGBTQ+, mental health and health care organizations and community partners.  

Professor Brad Boekeloo, Director, UMD Prevention Research Center

“The University of Maryland is a recognized leader in supporting LGBTQ health and wellbeing,” said Dr. Brad Boekeloo, a professor of behavioral and community health who is the director and principal investigator for the UMD Prevention Research Center (pictured). “In addition to our expertise in the School of Public Health, we have resources across the UMD campus to support us in our mission to address LGBTQ+ mental health disparities. We also have students, community partners and people from the communities we want to serve on our team. We’re all working together to serve and lift up the most vulnerable LGBTQ people.”

Beginning in 2009, the UMD Prevention Research Center focused on research to inform HIV prevention plans and intervention programs in Maryland and the Washington, DC region. It will continue to partner with health departments and community organizations on its mission, now expanded to prioritize LGBTQ+ mental health and health care.

READ MORE about this CDC-funded initiative here!

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