Institute for Urban Health Partnerships
IUHP is one of only a few programs nationally that link the expertise of university faculty and staff with the expertise of public and private organizations and residents to develop more effective solutions to pressing health care issues. Through a variety of programs and projects, IUHP promotes innovative changes in health care delivery.
Through the following initiatives, IUHP integrates the educational, research, and service missions of the College of Nursing:
- Academic community nursing centers. Two community-based facilities provide a range of primary health services across the lifespan, with an emphasis on targeting the uninsured and underinsured populations.
- Faculty practice contracts. Through contracts with a variety of community, social service and health agencies, faculty expertise is offered in the community in areas such as community health assessment and strategic planning, community education, staff development and research facilitation.
- Student clinical experiences. College of Nursing students gain valuable experience with urban populations by practicing at the three academic community nursing centers and in neighboring communities.
- Practice-based research projects. Projects aim to reduce health risks of those most susceptible for health disparities.
The UWM College of Nursing has provided surrounding neighborhoods with innovative health delivery programs for more than 20 years through community-based nursing centers. The solid success of these centers, which provide services to some of the most underserved populations, laid the foundation for IUHP, which was launched in 1996 with a grant from the Faye McBeath Foundation.
Mission
The mission of the Institute for Urban Health Partnerships (IUHP) is to reduce health disparities and promote health for all through:
- Development of collaborative partnerships with community-based organizations and community leaders.
- Integration of education, research, practice and policy activities in the service of communities in Wisconsin and beyond.
- Encourage the development of new urban health partnerships in the United States and abroad.
- Promote fundamental changes in health care and human service delivery to underserved, urban populations.
- Provide learning opportunities for students about urban health issues.
- Develop and evaluate new partnership models.
- Link our expertise with public and private organizations, community-based providers, and residents to develop more effective collaborative solutions to community health care issues.
