Closing the feedback loop

Closing the feedback loop

It’s no secret: it can take a long time for health research to be conducted, analyzed and published. The lag time can make it challenging for people who participated in a study to learn about the findings. To help close the feedback loop between researchers and research participants, UF’s HealthStreet program launched a new community forum April 30. “We’re having this event so we can bring everyone back together to learn from each other, learn about what you contributed to and be able to ask questions,” Darryl Pastor, HealthStreet coordinator, told attendees. Close to 60 people gathered for the first Our Community, Our Health event to hear updates on four research studies in which HealthStreet members had participated. The research topics discussed were as diverse as the audience: treatment of gum disease in people with Type 2 diabetes to barriers to HPV vaccination among adolescents. HealthStreet, which is part of the Clinical and Translational Science Institute, helps connect community members with medical and social services as well as opportunities to participate in research. The Our Community, Our Health series is open to the public and will be held quarterly at HealthStreet’s community center at 2401 SW Archer Road. — Claire Baralt