UMMC leads the Jackson Heart Study Field Center and is responsible for conducting data collection activities and implementing data quality activities. Data collection activities include conducting annual telephone interviews to update participants’ personal and health information, reviewing participant records to determine whether a health event occurred (e.g., heart attack, stroke), and performing physical assessments during in person examinations (e.g., echocardiogram, blood collection). Data quality activities include training and certifying staff to perform data collection activities, checking equipment accuracy and function, and reviewing data entered.
In addition to data collection and data quality activities, this Center is responsible for publishing and disseminating the study newsletter, sharing important research findings with community partners, and organizing events with study participants to obtain feedback and suggestions on study progress and future directions.
This Center works collaboratively with the other study partners, including with the Coordinating Center for administrative and operational study activities, with the Training and Education Centers to provide lectures and experiential learning opportunities for scholars, and with the Community Engagement Center for health education and outreach efforts across the state.