Intervening to Prevent and Reduce Behavioral Health Disparities

A Case Study of the Pathways for African American Success Program

Behavioral health disparities and health care access are of serious concern for underserved populations. Telehealth options are increasingly available but vary in their effectiveness. Families may not be able to seek out services on their own or be able to determine which services are effective but can benefit from referrals made by individuals they trust. Embedding prevention programs in primary care can improve contact with families over time, increase families' trust in health care providers, and enhance sustainability. This presentation will summarize findings from a study of barriers to health care and the promise of a program that has demonstrated efficacy and effectiveness in averting numerous behavioral health problems.

Dr. Velma McBride Murry is associate provost in the Office of Research and Innovation at Vanderbilt University, holds the Lois Autrey Betts Endowed Chair, and is a University Distinguished Professor in the departments of Health Policy (Vanderbilt School of Medicine) and Human and Organizational Development (Peabody College). Her research examines the significance of context to everyday life experiences of African American families and youth, focusing on processes through which racism and other social structural stressors cascade through families to influence parenting and family functioning, developmental outcomes, and adjustment among youth during critical developmental periods from middle childhood through young adulthood.

She is past president of the Society for Research on Adolescence and incoming president of The International Consortium of Developmental Science Societies. McBride Murry is one of the 100 elected members to the 2020 class of the National Academy of Medicine. She was recently appointed to the National Institutes of Health's National Advisory Mental Health Research Council.

This lecture is made possible through an endowment from the Arthur Sulzberger Family. Please join us for a reception immediately following the talk.

Visitor parking is available at the Science Drive visitor's lot, a short walk from the Sanford School. The rate is $2 per hour.