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Published on: April 6, 2019
Hawai'i IDeA Center for Pediatric and Adolescent Clinical Trials
Bruce Shiramizu1, May M Okihiro1, Jessica S Kosut1
1Department of Pediatrics, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawai'i at Manoa, Honolulu, HI.
Insights
The Hawai
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Clinical Trials
- Health Disparities Research
- Community-Based Participatory Research
Background:
- The Hawai'i IDeA Center for Pediatric and Adolescent Clinical Trials (HIPACT) was established in 2016 as a clinical site for the Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) IDeA States Pediatric Clinical Trials Network (ISPCTN).
- HIPACT serves the diverse, multi-ethnic populations of Hawai'i, including indigenous Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, and Asian immigrant communities, who face significant health disparities due to socio-economic factors and geographic isolation.
- The center aims to improve child and adolescent health through participation in community-valued, scientifically-valid multi-center clinical trials.
Purpose of the Study:
- To increase participation of diverse, underserved populations in pediatric clinical trials.
- To foster clinical trial expertise among junior faculty at the John A. Burns School of Medicine (JABSOM).
- To address health disparities in Hawai'i through collaborative research initiatives.
Main Methods:
- HIPACT operates as a clinical site within the ECHO ISPCTN, engaging in multi-center pediatric clinical trials.
- Collaboration with key partners including Hawai'i Pacific Health, Kapi'olani Medical Center for Women and Children, and Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center.
- Leveraging existing infrastructure and experience from networks such as the Mountain West IDeA Clinical and Translational Research-Infrastructure Network.
Main Results:
- Successfully increased the involvement of pediatric and maternal-fetal medicine faculty in clinical trial conduct.
- Provided opportunities for junior faculty to gain knowledge and skills in clinical trials.
- Facilitated the participation of diverse Hawaiian populations in vital health research.
Conclusions:
- HIPACT plays a crucial role in advancing pediatric clinical research in Hawai'i.
- The center enhances research capacity and addresses health disparities in underserved communities.
- Participation in the ECHO ISPCTN has strengthened faculty engagement in clinical trials.
Abstract:
As one of 17 clinical sites of the Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) IDeA States Pediatric Clinical Trials Network (ISPCTN), the Hawai'i IDeA Center for Pediatric and Adolescent Clinical Trials (HIPACT) was established in 2016 to participate in community-valued and scientifically-valid multi-center pediatric clinical trials to improve health and well-being of diverse multi-ethnic populations of Hawai'i. Hawai'i is home to large populations of diverse rural and underserved populations, including indigenous Hawaiian communities and immigrant populations of Pacific Islanders and Asians. Many of these communities experience significant health disparities, made worse by their geographic isolation and many socio-economic factors. In addition to providing opportunities for children and their families to participate in clinical trials, HIPACT's goal is to provide opportunities for junior faculty of the John A. Burns School of Medicine (JABSOM), University of Hawai'i at Manoa, to acquire knowledge about and to develop skills in clinical trials. HIPACT's partners include the Hawai'i Pacific Health with Kapi'olani Medical Center for Women and Children, and Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center. HIPACT builds on the experiences gained through partnerships with the Mountain West IDeA Clinical and Translational Research-Infrastructure Network, and Research Centers in Minority Institutions Translational Research Network. Apart from participating in ECHO ISPCTN-sponsored studies, HIPACT junior faculty serve as committee members, Working Group leaders, Protocol Study Principal Investigators (PI) and site study PIs with ECHO ISPCTN. Through participation in ECHO ISPCTN, HIPACT has successfully increased the number of pediatric and maternal-fetal medicine faculty involved in the conduct of clinical trials.

