Division of Health Research and Evaluation

The Department of Family and Community Medicine is engaged in innovative and diverse research to advance the health of individuals, families and rural communities.

Led by Manorama M. Khare, PhD, MS, the division of Health Research and Evaluation (HRE) provides the foundation for research activities conducted by faculty, clinicians and students. HRE focus areas include community-based research, rural health, mental health, and broad-based evaluation. HRE is supported by local, state and federal grants, as well as private foundations. Faculty share their findings in peer-reviewed journals and academic conferences nationwide.

What We Do

The Division of Health Research and Evaluation (HRE) provides the foundation for research activities conducted by clinicians, researchers, faculty and students in the Department of Family and Community Medicine. HRE conducts a wide scope of research and provides services, particularly in the areas of community-based research, rural health, mental health and broad-based evaluation.

Meet the HRE team

HRE staff members have extensive expertise and experience in planning, implementing, analyzing, and evaluating a wide array of community-based and rural research. Core staff have experienced research teams with both content and methodological expertise. HRE draws on faculty to engage in multi-disciplinary quantitative and qualitative research.

Current Projects

Currently, HRE has several ongoing research projects in these areas:

  • Chronic disease
  • Obesity prevention
  • Health inequities
  • COVID-19-related health disparities

These include projects that target rural and underserved populations as well as program evaluations with local, state and international partners.

Program evaluations

HRE researchers also conduct external evaluations for a variety of programs with long-term partners, including the Illinois Department of Public Health. Collaborations with IDPH include:

  • Illinois WISEWOMAN Program
  • Illinois Comprehensive Cancer Control Program
  • CDC 1815: Diabetes and Stroke Prevention Programs

Presentations and Publications

Contact Us

Research Associate Professor
Manorama M Khare
Research Associate Professor