US Ten Day Seminar on the Epidemiology and Prevention of CVD and Stroke

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This proposal requests sponsorship for the annual U.S. Ten-Day Seminar on the Epidemiology and Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease and Stroke. Given the burden of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and stroke, it is highly appropriate to conduct professional training on this topic. The goals of this proposal are consistent with the goals and objectives outlined in the NHLBI’s Strategic Vision which seeks to “further develop, diversify, and sustain a scientific workforce capable of accomplishing the NHLBI’s mission.” Training of such a workforce is a key element of our country’s readiness to address the health challenges posed by CVD and the readiness to advance multi- component strategies that promote cardiovascular health (CVH). A prepared workforce will need research competencies in epidemiology and biostatistics, social determinants of health, and policy and environmental approaches to health promotion and disease prevention. Further, authoritative health agencies and prominent scientists have noted an increasing need for training professionals to understand methods related to e-cohorts, large practical clinical trials, dissemination and implementation research, and big data analytics. Scientists will also need expertise in cost-effectiveness research, genetics, epigenetics, and biomedical informatics. This Seminar can uniquely contribute to training scientists who can integrate evidence across all of these fields and translate research findings into effective and impactful policy and practice. We seek joint sponsorship from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), the Office of Disease Prevention, and the Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research. Other funders/partners for the Seminar are the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (grant), and the American Heart Association (in-kind). We will do the following to assure the successful conduct of the Seminar: 1. We will continue to attract a faculty with both the knowledge of relevant content and the personal teaching skills required for the effective conduct of this program, with a continuing emphasis on the recruitment of faculty from underrepresented racial/ethnic groups (currently 31% of the faculty) and female faculty members (currently 56% of the faculty); 2. We will continue to adapt program content to maintain its relevance to the training needs of the nation for health professionals with appropriate career interests, while maintaining a consistent central focus on the foundational methods in cardiovascular disease epidemiology; 3. We will continue to disseminate information about this program to appropriate groups, using the most effective current strategies for reaching underrepresented racial/ethnic groups, female candidates and historically marginalized groups; and 4. We will continue to broaden the recruitment of participants through AHA Scientific Councils, past participants, organizations likely to identify candidates from underrepresented groups, and other means.