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Health Professor's Research Championing Health Equity Published

Thinh Vu, an adjunct faculty in the Department of Health and Human Performance, has recently published two peer-reviewed papers addressing health disparities in New York City’s minoritized communities, with a particular focus on mental health integration and alcohol misuse.

Thinh Vu, an adjunct faculty in the Department of Health and Human Performance, has recently published two peer-reviewed papers addressing health disparities in New York City’s minoritized communities, with a particular focus on mental health integration and alcohol misuse.

Vu's research centers on using implementation science methods to scale up integrated care models for mental health among underserved BIPOC and key populations in New York City and internationally.

In his first paper published in the BMC Public Health, titled “A multisector community-engaged collaborative for mental health integration in primary care and housing developments: Protocol for a stepped-wedge randomized controlled trial (the Harlem Strong Program),” Vu, as the corresponding author, outlines a robust study designed to address mental health disparities exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Recognizing the unique challenges faced by low-income housing developments (LIH), this study proposes a multisectoral approach to mental health task-sharing. By integrating mental health care into primary care settings and LIH, the Harlem Strong Program aims to evaluate the effectiveness of various implementation strategies.

The research involves a stepped-wedge randomized controlled trial, where 100 providers will receive training on mental health care to offer stress management counseling (including evidence-based coping skills) to 700 Black and/or Hispanic/Latino consumers. Participants will be surveyed to assess the impact of education resources, community collaborative care, and technology integration on mental health outcomes. The study anticipates significant improvements in access to care and consumer well-being, ultimately establishing a sustainable model for mental health integration in underserved communities.

In his second paper, published in the Journal of Hospital Management and Health Policy, titled “Comprehensive policy perspectives on mitigating alcohol misuse among minoritized communities in New York City,” Thinh Vu underscores the concerning rise in alcohol misuse among minoritized populations in post-pandemic New York City.

The study advocates for a multifaceted policy approach to address this public health crisis, including stricter regulations on liquor store operations, enhanced alcohol marketing controls, and innovative pricing strategies. This paper also emphasizes the integration of alcohol misuse treatment into primary care mental health services to address the complex intersection between mental health and substance use.

Through his research, Vu stresses the necessity of tailored interventions that consider the diverse spatial and demographic characteristics of the city's communities. By doing so, this will reduce the risk of alcohol dependence and promote healthier lifestyles in areas disproportionately affected by social inequities.