Message from the Director
The Center for Chronic Disease Research and Policy was founded in 2012 with the mission of improving the care and health of individuals at risk for and living with chronic diseases–such as diabetes, hypertension, substance use disorder, and mental health issues–by increasing access to and reducing the cost of care.
To help address these issues, the Center develops new ways of treating and preventing chronic diseases and evaluates the economic and policy implications of the treatments we study. In our Practice Based Research Network, we compare new approaches to outpatient care on the ground in our clinics, with a focus on engaging patients in the communities where they live. In our Medicaid Working Group, we analyze national Medicaid and Medicare insurance claims to obtain a broad perspective on healthcare across the nation. In our Cost Effectiveness Analysis and Medical Decision Making Core, we use simulation models to forecast future clinical and economic outcomes of changes in chronic disease management. Our research thus aims to directly improve the care and health of our own patients and to influence policy so innovations in care can reach patients across the country.
At the CDRP, affiliates from departments across the University of Chicago–including general internal medicine, health economics, public health sciences, and public policy–collaborate with policymakers and researchers from other universities, health systems, and industry on chronic disease-focused research. Our fellowship program trains the next generation of primary care clinical investigators to become researchers and join us on our mission to improve the health of patients from underserved backgrounds. Every year, our research symposium convenes policymakers, researchers, and clinicians to share findings on a critical topic and build partnerships to improve the health of our community. And, in 2022, the CDRP partnered with Rush University and a spectrum of Chicago community-based organizations to launch the Chicago Chronic Condition Equity Network (C3EN) to find community-focused solutions to chronic disease.
Our years of dedicated research is now having a direct impact on US policy and policymakers. In 2022, the CDRP completed the Financial Analysis Research Agenda, a federal contract with HRSA’s Bureau of Primary Health Care to evaluate the performance of the US Health Center Program. Our members have delivered testimonies to US Senate committees on COVID-19, long-term care, and community health centers. This year, we are proud that Tamara Konetzka, our associate director for health policy, was appointed to the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC).
At the CDRP we are committed to translating our research on chronic disease and health equity into policy to transform clinical practice on a state-wide and national scale. Our vision is to create a world where healthcare research and policy seamlessly interact to improve the health of those at risk for and living with chronic diseases.
Elbert Huang, MD, MPH, FACP
Founding Director