IREACH

THE INSTITUTE FOR RESEARCH AND EDUCATION
TO ADVANCE COMMUNITY HEALTH
Team photo
IREACH faculty and staff at the Institute’s April 2023 retreat in Seattle, Washington.

Conducting research to promote health and health care equity among Indigenous and rural populations

The Institute for Research and Education to Advance Community Health (IREACH) is a large research institute at Washington State University (WSU) that conducts transdisciplinary research devoted to promoting health and health care equity among Indigenous and rural populations. It is one of the largest academic units dedicated to the health of Native populations in the United States and works with 150 partners in 19 states.

IREACH houses a practice-based research network of 200 primary care facilities in Washington state that serve rural, American Indian, and other underserved populations. The Institute has about 85 faculty, postdoctoral students, and staff members and a portfolio of approximately $85 million in extramural grant funding. Its members have expertise that spans public health, economics, demography, epidemiology, biostatistics, sociology, psychology, nutrition, public administration and management, and internal medicine.

Established in 2015 by Dr. Dedra Buchwald, IREACH is administratively located within the WSU Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine.

$85 Million In extramural grant funding
150 Partners In 19 states
85 Faculty, postdoctoral students, and staff In Seattle, Spokane, and Pullman
200 Primary care facilities In our practice-based research network

Explore our Research Initiatives and Programs

Natives Engaged in Alzheimer’s Research

Natives Engaged in Alzheimer’s Research, or NEAR, combats disparities associated with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias in American Indian, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander groups.

Native-Controlling Hypertension and Risk through Technology

Native-Controlling Hypertension and Risk through Technology, or Native-CHART, aims to improve control of blood pressure and other risk factors for cardiovascular disease in American Indians, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders with diagnosed hypertension.

Native Alzheimer’s Disease Resource Center for Minority Aging Research

The Native Alzheimer’s Disease Resource Center for Minority Aging Research, or NAD-RCMAR, aims to address the Alzheimer’s disease health disparities experienced by American Indians, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders. NAD-RCMAR funds pilot studies through its career development program for early-to-mid-career investigators.

Latinx Health

IREACH is committed to improving Latinx health. Many Latinx communities in Washington state are in rural areas and have historically been underserved and underinsured. To reduce these disparities, we are dedicated to academic research and the formation of community partnerships that will make meaningful contributions to Latinx health.

Partnerships for Native Health

Partnerships for Native Health, or P4NH, is a legacy program of IREACH that conducted community-centered research, training, education, and outreach to improve the health and quality of life of American Indian and Alaska Native populations.

Recent News

New IREACH Faculty Hires

Dear IREACH team and community, As the Founding Director of IREACH, I am delighted to share news of several recent full time faculty hires. Please join me in welcoming new […]

IREACH Recognized at 2022 Apple Cup

Washington State University recognized IREACH, the WSU College of Nursing, and the American Heart Association at the 2022 Apple Cup for their goals to increase American Indian clinical trial participation […]

Patient and Provider Focus Groups

The INdians Transforming Alzheimer’s Care Treatment (INTACT) team has completed patient and provider focus groups which provided feedback on how to adapt Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias patient and caregiver educational material from the Dementia […]
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We challenge the status quo and advance community health through partnerships and collaboration.

Drs. Denise Dillard, Dedra Buchwald, and Amanda Boyd
IREACH Co-Directors, from left to right: Drs. Denise Dillard, Dedra Buchwald, and Amanda Boyd.
Washington State University campus