History

The UMass Lowell Center for Population Health (UML-CPH) evolved from the Boston Puerto Rican Center for Population Health and Health Disparities (2003–2017), a National Institutes of Health (NIH) - funded center studying the impact of stress on physical disability and cognitive decline. The research revealed high rates of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors, challenging the "Hispanic paradox" of lower heart disease despite socioeconomic challenges.

Vision

UML-CPH focuses on long-term interventions to reduce disease prevalence and improve health outcomes in diverse populations. Researchers specialize in nutrition, cardiometabolic risk, cognitive health, and social and environmental determinants, collaborating with community partners.

Population Health

The Center examines how diet, behavior, environment, genetics, and stress influence cardiometabolic risk, with a focus on underserved communities. Each population's unique genetic, cultural, and environmental factors shape these health outcomes.

Major areas of research

  • Nutrition
  • Bone Health
  • Cognitive health
  • Cardiometabolic risk
  • Social and environmental determinants of health
  • Nutrigenomics