ASHEVILLE, N.C. – UNC Asheville is the recipient of an $839,890.00 grant from Dogwood Health Trust (DHT) to support the University’s work as part of the Health Policy Research Consortium — an initiative that conducts research to influence policymaking that will positively affect the health of residents of Western North Carolina, UNCA announced in a Jan 29 news release.

A substantial investment, the two-year grant will enable the NC Center for Health and Wellness at UNCA to conduct rigorous research related to HPRC’s four focus areas: mental health, substance use, housing, and food security. Established in 2024 through a prior grant from DHT, the consortium includes partners from Appalachian State, East Tennessee State University, Western Carolina University and the Western North Carolina Health Network.

“The UNCA team of faculty, staff, and students hopes that our research will inform policy change that contributes to the wellbeing of communities across this region,” Emma Olson, interim executive director of NCCHW, stated.. “Working in partnership with community leaders, we will utilize research results to educate decision-makers about opportunities for improving the health of Western North Carolinians.”