Reduce and ultimately eliminate the systemic and structural inequities that place some at an unfair, unjust, and avoidable disadvantage in attaining their full health potential. Research addresses critical challenges that shape health within and across populations and communities. 

Population and community health research focuses on factors that shape the distribution of health within and across populations/communities, examines pathways/mechanisms through which these factors shape the health of individuals, or examines interventions and other approaches to improve the health of populations/communities. These include interventions that are developed in partnership with communities in medically underserved areas of Kentucky, and the education of nurse practitioners from diverse populations, including underrepresented minorities and those from disadvantaged backgrounds.