160 Madison Avenue, Elmira, NY 14901 Sunday 10:00 AM to 12:00 Noon

Institute for Translational Population Health Research

Turning Research into Action. Transforming Communities Through Knowledge, Innovation, and Service.

Research and community engagement
161 DeWitt Ave Elmira, New York
Research, Innovation, Community Impact

Bridging the gap between research and real world practice.

The Institute for Translational Population Health Research (ITPHR) serves as the research, innovation, and community impact arm of First United Refuge Church. Located adjacent to the church at 161 DeWitt Avenue in Elmira, New York, the Center was established to bridge the gap between research and real world practice by developing evidence based solutions that improve health, well being, and quality of life.

Our work is guided by a simple belief.

Research should improve lives.

Too often, valuable research remains confined to academic journals, conference presentations, and institutional reports. At the Translational Population Health Research Center, we are committed to translating knowledge into practical programs, policies, and interventions that create measurable community impact.

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Our Mission

Advancing Health Through Research, Innovation, and Community Partnership.

The mission of the Translational Population Health Research Center is to generate, translate, and apply research that improves population health, strengthens communities, and reduces health disparities.

We work at the intersection of:

01

Public Health

Population level approaches that prevent disease and promote well being.

02

Community Development

Strengthening neighborhoods, organizations, and civic infrastructure.

03

Behavioral Health

Mental, emotional, and social pathways to resilience.

04

Faith Based Engagement

Partnering with congregations as trusted community anchors.

05

Health Equity

Closing gaps for vulnerable and underserved populations.

06

Social Determinants

Housing, education, food, and the conditions that shape health.

07

Population Health Forecasting

Predictive modeling that anticipates risks and opportunities.

08

Community Wellness

Programs designed alongside the people they serve.

Our goal is not simply to study problems. Our goal is to help solve them.

What Is Translational Population Health

From Research to Real World Impact.

Translational Population Health focuses on moving scientific knowledge into practical application. Instead of asking one question, we ask another.

Old Question

What can we publish?

Our Question

What can we improve?

This approach allows us to work directly with communities, healthcare organizations, faith communities, policymakers, educators, and local leaders to create sustainable solutions to complex challenges.

Research Priorities

Seven Areas of Focus.

Where we direct our questions, methods, and partnerships to produce the greatest community impact.

01

Population Health Forecasting

Using data analytics, trend analysis, and predictive modeling to identify emerging health challenges and opportunities.

02

Behavioral Health

Improving mental health, emotional well being, resilience, and community support systems.

03

Health Equity

Identifying and addressing disparities that affect vulnerable and underserved populations.

04

Social Determinants of Health

Examining how housing, education, transportation, food access, employment, and social environments influence health outcomes.

05

Housing and Homelessness

Developing innovative approaches to housing stability, recovery, and community wellness.

06

Community Resilience

Helping communities prepare for and respond to social, economic, and public health challenges.

07

Social Prescribing

Connecting individuals to community resources and activities that support health and well being beyond traditional healthcare.

Research for Community Transformation

Elmira as a Living Laboratory for Innovation.

Elmira faces many challenges that communities throughout America are experiencing, including:

Population decline
Housing instability
Neighborhood deterioration
Behavioral health challenges
Substance use disorders
Economic hardship
Health disparities

Rather than viewing these challenges as barriers, we view them as opportunities for innovation, collaboration, and transformation. The Center works alongside residents, organizations, healthcare providers, educational institutions, and community leaders to develop practical solutions that improve lives.

Elmira community
Living Lab Innovation, Born Locally
Faith and Research

A Unique Partnership.

The Translational Population Health Research Center operates in partnership with First United Refuge Church. Together, we believe that faith communities can play an important role in improving community well being.

The Church Provides

  • Spiritual support
  • Worship
  • Fellowship
  • Community engagement

The Research Center Contributes

  • Evidence based approaches
  • Community assessment
  • Program development
  • Evaluation

This unique partnership allows us to address both the spiritual and practical dimensions of human flourishing.

Community based research
Partners Not Subjects
Community Based Research

Research With Communities, Not On Communities.

Our approach emphasizes collaboration. Community members are not merely participants. They are partners.

We believe the people closest to community challenges are often closest to the solutions. Through community based participatory research, we work with residents to identify priorities, develop interventions, and evaluate outcomes.

Innovation for the Future

Building the Next Generation of Community Solutions.

The Center is actively exploring innovative approaches and scalable models that can be replicated throughout New York State, across the United States, and internationally.

Innovation

Community Mental Health Workers

Trusted neighbors connecting people to care and support.

Innovation

Social Prescribing Programs

Linking individuals to non clinical, community based supports.

Innovation

Community Wellness Hubs

Neighborhood places of care, connection, and learning.

Innovation

Population Health Observatories

Real time dashboards that surface community health signals.

Innovation

Health Forecasting Systems

Predictive tools that help leaders act before crises grow.

Innovation

Housing and Recovery Models

Stable housing paired with whole person care coordination.

Innovation

Community Data Dashboards

Open data tools that help neighborhoods see themselves clearly.

Innovation

Faith Based Partnerships

Public health collaborations rooted in trusted faith networks.

Research Partnerships

Working Together for Greater Impact.

Complex challenges require collaborative solutions. We welcome collaboration with:

Universities

Research collaboration and student engagement.

Healthcare Systems

Clinical integration and shared population health goals.

Public Health Agencies

Community level prevention and policy work.

Community Organizations

Trusted neighborhood partners on the ground.

Government Agencies

Policy, data sharing, and scaled implementation.

Foundations

Catalytic funding for community innovation.

Faith Based Organizations

Trusted networks for whole person care.

Researchers & Students

Field placements, fellowships, and joint projects.

Together, we can create meaningful and lasting change.

Visit Our Research Center Website

Institute for Translational Population Health Research

For detailed information about our research programs, projects, publications, partnerships, and initiatives, explore our dedicated research website.

Research Projects
Publications
Community Health Initiatives
Population Health Forecasting
Behavioral Health Research
Partnership Opportunities
Student & Volunteer Opportunities
Our Vision

Research does not remain on a shelf. It actively contributes to healthier people, stronger families, and thriving communities.

Through innovation, collaboration, and community engagement, the Translational Population Health Research Center is working to build that future. One project, one partnership, and one community at a time.

01

Advancing Knowledge.

02

Improving Health.

03

Transforming Communities.

Partner With Us Visit Research Site