UMD-PRC: About Us

UMD-PRC Mission

The University of Maryland Prevention Research Center (UMD-PRC) is a multidisciplinary community of scholars who develop and disseminate evidence-based solutions that prevent and address adverse health outcomes for sexual and gender minority (SGM) people. Prevention science is an interdisciplinary field focused on developing evidence-based strategies that reduce risk factors and enhance protective factors to improve the health and well-being of individuals, families, and communities. The UMD-PRC has four main content areas of prevention research that uniquely impact SGM communities: mental health, substance use, sexual and reproductive health, and violence prevention.  

The work of the UMD-PRC spans the translational science spectrum and relies on community-engaged methods to address SGM health equity in a variety of ways, including: 

• Conducting foundational research: We take an interdisciplinary approach to examining health disparities and identify mutable social determinants that contribute to SGM health inequity.  
• Developing and testing interventions: We develop, implement, and evaluate interventions that promote SGM mental, behavioral, and sexual health. 
• Implementing and evaluating programs: To improve delivery and maximize impact, we evaluate the implementation of evidence-based and evidence-informed programs that prevent disease and promote health for SGM populations. 
• Informing practitioners and policymakers: We disseminate and communicate with various audiences to inform public health practice and policies at the local, state, and national levels.
• Training the next generation: A core feature of our work includes training and mentoring graduate students and postdoctoral scholars in SGM health equity and prevention science.