Newsletter: Volume 2, Number 9

Community Engagement at the

Southern California Clinical and Translational Science Institute (SC CTSI)

Mission: The Southern California Clinical and Translational Science Institute (SC CTSI) Community Engagement core group aims to serve as a bridge between research and the community, ensuring collaborative solutions to Los Angeles' most pressing health challenges.

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IN THIS ISSUE:

• A Message to Our Community Members
• Community Event
• Wellness
• Health Research Studies

• Resources
• The Healthy Food Corner
• Inspirational Quote

South Los Angeles Community Engagement Team Members:

Tyrone Nance, MA

Lead Community Outreach Specialist

 213.910.0243

Tyrone.Nance@med.usc.edu

Natayla Seals

Community Outreach Coordinator

323.447.7905

Natayla.Seals@med.usc.edu

Esther Karpilow

Community Outreach Coordinator

213-446-7388

Esther.Karpilow@med.usc.edu

A Message to Our Community Members:

This summer, we were deeply engaged with Nickerson Gardens, a public housing development overseen by the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles (HACLA).

Our approach in Nickerson Gardens combines interactive workshops, listening sessions, and culturally sensitive strategies, all built on coequal communication and trust. Working closely with residents and community leaders, we've bridged gaps and empowered residents to take an active role in decisions impacting their lives, contributing to our broader goal of health equity.

Watch our recent interview with Doug Guthrie, President and CEO of HACLA.

Read more about the work we've been doing at Nickerson Gardens.

Community Event

2nd Community Health &

Wellness Day

Sat, Sep 23, 2023, 11:00am to 3:00pm

75 E Santa Anita Ave, Burbank, CA 91502

A day dedicated to health and wellness! Take a break from your busy schedule and come down to the ACF Beshir Mardirossian Burbank Youth Center - Liberty Hall. This in-person event will provide free clinic screenings.

Learn more.

Wellness

Take a moment to unwind and join Esther Karpilow in a brief one-minute tutorial on the 4-7-8 breathing technique.

Breathwork, a practice centered on deliberate and conscious breathing, offers a multifaceted array of benefits. It serves as an effective stress management tool, promoting relaxation and alleviating anxiety.

Breathwork enhances cognitive functions, sharpening focus and mental clarity. This practice also aids in emotional regulation, fostering resilience and self-awareness.

On a physiological level, breathwork optimizes oxygen intake, supporting overall vitality and facilitating the body's natural healing processes.

Click here for the 4-7-8 breathing technique tutorial video.

Health Research Studies

RECOVER

A team of researchers at Children's Hospital Los Angeles are conducting a study to understand the long-term effects of COVID-19 in people under 25 years of age who are suspected of having or have been diagnosed with COVID-19.

They want to understand...

• How COVID affects a child's body
• How many children continue to feel sick after getting COVID-19
• Why some children feel sick for so long

Participants will be compensated for their time and participation in the study.

To obtain more information, please get in touch with Natayla Seals at natayla.seals@med.usc.edu or call (323) 447-7905.

HYM

Healthy Young Men (HYM) is a five-year health research project focused on improving the health and wellness of young men who have sex with men (MSM) of color.

HYM is for Black, Latinx, or mixed-race individuals between the ages of 20 to 26 who identify as MSM, gay or bisexual, and live in the greater Los Angeles area.

Participation in this research project is voluntary. Participants receive $55 to $110 per visit.

Interested? Call 323-356-9224 or email HYM@chla.usc.edu.

The principal investigator for this project is Michele D. Kipke, Ph.D. HYM is funded by the National Institutes of Health.

TRUTH

Trans and Gender-Nonconforming Youth of Color (TRUTH) is a five-year health research project focused on improving the health and wellness of transgender, gender-nonconforming, and non-binary young adults of color.

TRUTH is for Black, Latinx, or mixed-race individuals between the ages of 20 to 26 who identify as transgender, gender nonconforming, or non-binary who live in the greater Los Angeles area.

Participation in this research project is voluntary. Participants receive $55 to $110 per visit.

Interested? Call 323-356-9224 or email TRUTH@chla.usc.edu.

The principal investigator for this project is Michele D. Kipke, Ph.D. TRUTH is funded by the National Institutes of Health.

PrEP Research Opportunity

PrEPresent is an app focused on sexual health that may help people learn more about, get on, and stay on PrEP. The app includes resources, a forum, quizzes, goal-setting activities, and a live PrEP Health Advocate who is available to chat or video call to answer any questions you may have.

You may be eligible if you are:

• 16-26 years old
• HIV negative
• Identify as trans, non-binary, or are a queer cis man
• Interested but not actively taking PrEP

You can receive up to $280 for participating.

Learn more here.

THRIVE

The Research In Virtual Environments Study (THRIVE) is looking for teenagers to participate in a research study where they will explore a virtual city!

Along with parental consent, you may be eligible if you are:

• Between 14-17 years old
• Fluent in English
• Can control a joystick
• Have at least 1cm of hair
• Not pregnant
• Good physical and mental health (i.e., no history of high blood pressure or cardiovascular disease)

The goal is to examine how adolescents' minds and bodies respond to different city environments to better understand how neighborhoods affect health.

Eligible participants will be compensated for their time.

For more information, please call (213) 821-9501 or email natayla.seals@med.usc.edu.

Resources

Findhelp.org is a great resource that helps you search and connect to find support. Financial assistance, food pantries, medical care, and other free or reduced-cost resources.

The Healthy Food Corner

As we roll into the new school year let's think of new, healthier and fun ways to prepare our children's lunches for the new school year. These healthy lunches for kids aim to please even the pickiest palates. No lunch trades here! Pack a healthier lunchbox for school with these healthy lunch and snack ideas kids will actually want to eat.

For more healthy recipes, click here.

How to prepare:

1. Place turkey, panko, Worcestershire, Italian seasoning, onion powder and salt in a medium bowl; mix gently until just combined. (Do not overmix.) Roll the mixture into 9 meatballs (about 2 heaping tablespoons each).
2. Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the meatballs and cook, turning occasionally, until browned on all sides, about 6 minutes. Reduce heat to medium. Add water, cover and cook until an instant-read thermometer inserted in the center registers 165°F, about 5 minutes more.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

Calories 234 calorie

Total Fat 13g

Saturated Fat 3g

Sodium 286mg

Carbohydrates 78g

Fiber 1g



Protein 23g

Inspirational Quote

"What is the difference between an obstacle and an opportunity? Our attitude toward it. Every opportunity has a difficulty, and every difficulty has an opportunity." - J. Sidlow Baxter

Suggestions, ideas, corrections? Have something to include in the October 2023 edition of this newsletter? Please email Natayla Seals at natayla.seals@med.usc.edu.

To learn more about Southern California Clinical and Translational Science, visit our website at sc-ctsi.org.