Institute for Community Health Innovation


April 29, 2024

Marshallese Women Who Move to U.S. Less Likely to Breastfeed, UAMS Researchers Find

David Wise

Marshallese woman holding baby

FAYETTEVILLE — Marshallese women who move to the United States may be less likely to exclusively breastfeed their children as they struggle to find appropriate education and support systems, according to researchers from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) Institute for Community Health Innovation. UAMS researchers found Marshallese women living in the U.S….


April 25, 2024

UAMS ‘Community of Practice’ Collaboration Receives $750,000 Grant from Walmart Foundation to Battle Hunger in NWA

David Wise

Soup kitchen staff serve food to food insecure people.

FAYETTEVILLE — Thanks to a $750,000 award from the Walmart Foundation, the Northwest Arkansas Food Insecurity Community of Practice will continue to develop strategies to reduce hunger in Northwest Arkansas over the next 18 months. The Community of Practice is a collaboration between the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) and more than 20…


April 19, 2024

Mind over Menopause — Managing mental health during a time of change

News Staff

A group of three women laughing in a park

By Philmar Mendoza Kabua, BSN May is Women’s Health Month and Mental Health Month, making it a great time to discuss an often overlooked but important topic: menopause. Menopause is a natural part of life, but it can cause significant changes in the body that can really affect a woman’s mental health. It’s important to…


April 3, 2024

UAMS Celebrates First Graduates of Community Health Worker Training Program

David Wise

Pictured are the April 2024 graduates of the Community Health Worker Training and Apprenticeship Program.

FAYETTEVILLE — The UAMS Institute for Community Health Innovation will graduate seven community health workers (CHW) this month, celebrating the first class to complete the one-year Community Health Worker Training and Apprenticeship Program. The institute, formerly the UAMS Office of Community Health & Research, has enrolled 88 CHWs from 21 counties across Arkansas since starting…


March 27, 2024

Addressing Health Disparities in Arkansas: The Importance of Preventive Care

News Staff

Health care worker giving a patient a blood pressure

  By Sheldon Riklon, M.D. April marks Minority Health Month, a time to raise awareness about racial and ethnic health disparities faced across the United States. Arkansas is home to many diverse communities, and unfortunately, some groups still experience worse health outcomes than others. According to the Arkansas Department of Health, non-White communities in the…


February 27, 2024

UAMS Establishes Institute for Community Health Innovation

David Wise

Pearl McElfish, director of the UAMS Institute of Community Health Innovation, announces the establishment of the institute during a UAMS town hall.

UAMS announced Feb. 27 the establishment of its eighth institute, the UAMS Institute for Community Health Innovation, effective March 1.


February 26, 2024

Debunking Fad Diets: Signs your diet is doing more harm than good

News Staff

Woman looking thoughtful while eating

  By Sheldon Riklon, M.D. For those looking to improve their health, fad diets are often a tempting solution. While these trendy eating plans may promise fast results, they often fail to deliver sustainable benefits. Overall, fad diets may not be the best approach for long-term health. Most fad diets are restrictive, meaning they require…


February 12, 2024

UAMS Researchers Working with Schools to Improve Nutrition, Meal Participation

David Wise

A lunchroom kitchen worker in Farmington smiles and laughs while unpacking food.

FAYETTEVILLE — School districts in Arkansas can improve the health of their student body through nutritional interventions in the cafeteria, according to a study published by the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) Office of Community Health & Research. The study, Creating Healthy Environments for Schools: A Comprehensive Approach to Improving Nutrition in Arkansas…


January 31, 2024

UAMS Researchers Link HPV Vaccine Hesitancy to Lack of Accurate Information

David Wise

Needle pulling HPV vaccine from bottle

FAYETTEVILLE — Limited or inaccurate information about the HPV vaccine has created apprehension among Arkansas parents to vaccinate their children against the virus, according to researchers in the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) Office of Community Health & Research. Researchers noted that increased efforts in health care providers’ offices to provide education about…


January 26, 2024

The Mind-Heart Connection: How Emotional Wellness Can Affect Your Heart

News Staff

Cartoon heart and brain walking hand-in-hand

  By Sheldon Riklon, M.D. Let’s talk about something we often overlook: the connection between mental health and our hearts. They actually influence each other in ways we’re only just starting to understand. It turns out the connection between the heart and the mind is a two-way street. When we’re stressed or anxious, it can…



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