About the Jackson Heart Study

The Jackson Heart Study (JHS) is the largest single-site, community-based epidemiologic investigation of environmental and genetic factors associated with cardiovascular disease among African Americans ever undertaken.

The JHS is a collaborative effort involving Tougaloo College, Jackson State University, the Mississippi State Department of Health, and the University of Mississippi Medical Center.

The Jackson Heart Study receives support from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Office of Research on Minority Health (ORMH) and the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI).

For more information about the Jackson Heart Study, visit www.jacksonheartstudy.com.

Within the Jackson Heart Study, Tougaloo College serves as the Undergraduate Training and Education Center (UTEC). UTEC’s role in the JHS is to prepare students for careers in the biomedical and health sciences. The UTEC sponsors two programs: the Scholars Program for undergraduate students and the SLAM Program for high school students.

Our Mission

The purpose of the Jackson Heart Study Undergraduate Training and Education Center is to train students to carry out medical research studies like the Jackson Heart Study.

Our Goals

The specific goals of the Undergraduate Training and Education Center include the following:

1. Create a pool of well-trained high school students who, upon entering college, can successfully complete undergraduate, and graduate or professional degrees in the health professions and public health

2. Introduce a program of college courses to prepare the students to pursue advanced studies toward public health and epidemiology

3. Involve the students in hands-on experiences to create interest in public health careers

4. Provide basic epidemiology backgrounds for health care professionals