Rio Grande Valley Cancer Health Disparities Center
Official title: Rio Grande Valley Cancer Health Disparity Research Center
Funded at University of Texas Rio Grande Valley · NIH-11313865 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project brings mental health support into primary care clinics to make it easier for Latino cancer patients and survivors in the Rio Grande Valley to get timely behavioral health help.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas Rio Grande Valley NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Edinburg, United States) |
| Project start | August 18, 2024 |
| Project end | March 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $316,327 |
| NIH project number | 5U54MD019970-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11313865 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults who are current cancer patients or survivors receiving care at one of the participating primary care clinics in the Rio Grande Valley, especially Spanish-speaking/Latino individuals with emotional or mental health needs.
✕Less likely to help
People who do not receive care at the participating clinics, live outside the Rio Grande Valley, or need specialized psychiatric services beyond what primary care-based behavioral health can provide may not benefit directly.
What this research studies
You would be seen in one of two low-resource primary care clinics in the Rio Grande Valley where behavioral health specialists work alongside your primary care provider. Clinics will add routine screening for cancer-related distress and arrange quick follow-up or brief treatment inside primary care so you do not need a separate mental health referral. The team will track how many people are screened, how quickly they get help, and whether Latino cancer patients and survivors get better access than before. The focus is on practical changes to clinic workflow to reduce gaps in mental health care for local cancer survivors.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could get faster, easier mental health support during routine primary care visits, especially Latino cancer survivors in the RGV.
How similar studies have gone: Integrated behavioral health models have improved access and outcomes in other primary care settings, but they have been less tested specifically among Latino cancer survivors in the Rio Grande Valley.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Edinburg, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: George, Deepu — University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
- Study coordinator: George, Deepu
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.