Eva Vivian, professor (CHS) in the Pharmacy Practice Division, has received a grant from the Wisconsin Well Woman Program (WWWP) to continue her research with the Peers Empowering Peers (PEP) program and expand to an additional location.

Developed by Vivian, the PEP program focus is the development and implementation of culturally sensitive strategies that help African American mothers and their children prevent and manage diabetes and other chronic diseases. The innovative community based project incorporates peer influence from community members to enhance learning of positive health behaviors. The project aligns to Healthiest Wisconsin 2020 as it promotes healthy nutritional habits and physical activity within communities, resulting in a reduction in metabolic health risks in participants of the program.

Implemented on Madison’s Southwest side at the Meadowood Neighborhood Center in winter 2017, the continued support from WWWP will allow expansion to a second location at the Northport-Packer Apartments. The WWWP provides preventive health screening services to women with little or no health insurance coverage. The program is administered by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, Division of Public Health, and is available in all 72 counties and 11 tribes. Vivian received initial funding through a Reilly Baldwin Wisconsin Idea Endowment Grant.

Vivian’s research interest focuses on identifying disparities in the treatment of hypertension, diabetes, and other chronic diseases among ethnic minorities, particularly African American and Latino American patients and developing and implementing strategies to reduce and eliminate them. Recently, her research has sharpened its focus in response to heightened awareness of the great numbers of children and adolescents who are at special risk of diabetes.