Opioid Project
In light of the national opioid epidemic and its relevance within our community, several of the Institute’s Faculty Scholars are collaborating to research what can be done about the issue here on our campus. The project has two components. The first component is a review of medical and dental prescription data to identify areas for systematic improvement in order to help prevent the potential for opioid addiction or abuse among patients. The second component is a survey of Loma Linda University Health practitioners about opioids and pain management perspectives and practices.
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SCAN Foundation Grant
California’s Cal MediConnect transforms the administration of medical, behavioral, social and long-term services and supports into a single organized delivery system. As two of seven counties implementing the Cal MediConnect program, San Bernardino and Riverside counties are making sure that the right care is delivered to low-income older adults and people with disabilities at the right time and in the right place. Under a grant from the SCAN Foundation, the Institute is working with the Inland Empire’s Long Term Services and Supports Coalition to better shape this transformation effort to integrate care and financing for dually eligible beneficiaries.
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California Healthcare Foundation (CHCF) Award
IHPL received a grant from CHCF to screen "Being Mortal" – a PBS FRONTLINE documentary that follows Dr. Atul Gawande who shares end-of-life experiences of several patients and families. Following the movie, IHPL collaborated with the Center for Christian Bioethics in hosting a panel discussion to spark dialog and reflection on end-of-life issues, including surveying the participants.
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Remaining Uninsured in the Inland Empire
As part of a larger plan to decrease the number of those still lacking health care insurance in our region, IHPL prepared a white paper for the Community Clinic Association of San Bernardino County (CCASBC). The paper includes a thorough background study on the remaining uninsured and calls attention to the health care challenges of the uninsured population. In the paper, IHPL underscores recommendations and best practices for lawmakers and elected officials under the provisions of the Affordable Care Act.
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Pharmaceuticals and Oral Health
The intricate relationship between oral health and overall health is often missed or under-addressed by healthcare professionals. To delve deeper into this issue, some of IHPL’s Faculty Scholars surveyed California physicians, dentists, pharmacists and nurse practitioners about their knowledge and opinions regarding the interface between oral and overall health. In addition, Dr. Paul Gavaza (PI for the research study) et al. wrote a white paper addressing the need to modify drug labels to prevent systemic complications arising from oral side effects of certain pharmaceuticals.
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Wholeness Transportation Plan Proposal
Partnering with two other LLU institutes (The Wholeness Institute and the Institute for Community Partnerships), IHPL developed a multi-faceted proposal for an innovative Wholeness Transportation Plan for LLU Health. Recognizing the health value within the built environment, IHPL proposed an active transportation plan that incorporates biking, walking, and transit access at LLUH regardless of age, ability, or mode of transportation.
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Air Quality Policy Analyses
The Environmental Rail Yard Research Impacting Community Health (ENRRICH) Project is a collaborative effort involving a number of academic, scientific and community based entities. The research focuses on characterizing the community health burden in residential areas near the San Bernardino Rail Yard (SBR), particularly the negative health outcomes in low-income communities immediately adjacent to the SBR. IHPL's focus is assisting with policy analyses related to the findings of this research.
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