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Research

Striving for excellence in primary care and population health research

Research Retreat NC Botanical Gardens November 2022
The UNC Family Medicine Research Program aims to lead the nation in producing rigorous, extramurally-funded primary care and population health research. Our interdisciplinary team of clinicians, researchers, and staff work closely together—and with groups across UNC and numerous collaborating universities and organizations—to generate groundbreaking evidence with a focus on advancing the health and quality of life of diverse populations across the lifespan. We engage with key stakeholders in government, industry, and the non-profit sector to ensure that we are asking the right questions and effectively disseminating the evidence we generate to inform both policy and practice. We serve North Carolina, the country, and the global community.

Research News

Research

  • Nadja Vielot

    UNC Study Confirms Shingles Vaccine Effectiveness in Older Adults

    Nadja Vielot, PhD, an epidemiologist in the UNC Department of Family Medicine, is lead author of a newly published study in Annals of Internal Medicine that provides real-world evidence for the effectiveness of the recombinant zoster vaccine (RZV) in older adults. The research team conducted a target trial emulation using Medicare claims data from 2007 … Read more

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    Graphic Warnings on Little Cigars and Cigarillos Drive Higher Quit Rates, UNC Study Shows

    A University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill clinical trial found that graphic health warnings on little cigars and cigarillos significantly increase users’ intentions to quit and promote behaviors linked to tobacco cessation. These findings could provide the cigar-specific evidence the FDA previously lacked in efforts to require cigar warnings. Published in JAMA Network Open, … Read more

Our Areas of Excellence

Erin Fraher, PhD

Organization, Financing, & Delivery of Care

Our faculty in this area are known for their expertise related to the health workforce, transition to value-based care, studies related to Medicaid and Medicare policy in North Carolina and nationwide, and the role of primary care in improving health care quality and patient outcomes.

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Behavioral Health

UNC Department of Family Medicine is interested in supporting the growth of the department’s behavioral health research through this special call for applications.  Projects funded under this call will facilitate future successful grant proposals focused on behavioral health.

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FMC patient residency education

Health Access

Health outcome gaps remain a significant challenge in American health care, particularly in areas with higher mortality rates and substantial socioeconomic barriers. These disparities are driven by a range of factors, including stigma, cultural and linguistic differences, and limited access to resources such as quality care and insurance coverage. Given the pervasive nature of these challenges, our work in this field intersects with many other research areas.

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Health Promotion & Disease Prevention

We are working to prevent infectious diseases by studying the burden of vaccine-preventable illnesses and the safety and effectiveness of vaccines; shaping policy, practice, and communication to reduce tobacco use; combating child abuse; furthering our understanding of chronic diseases and cancer; and addressing the health and long-term care needs of older adults.

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