To fill gaps in current inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) research and disease management to support public health practice, the purposes of the announcement are to 1) conduct epidemiological studies through the establishment of a multidisciplinary collaborative network to examine the natural history

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of IBD, social and psychological factors contributing to IBD, health disparities, and effectiveness of management strategies; 2) design and pilot activities to enhance IBD management (e.g., patients’ self-management, integrated clinical care) to improve overall health and quality of life of patients with IBD; 3) design and pilot education and outreach activities for healthcare providers to improve time to diagnosis and start of effective disease management; and 4) identify health disparities (e.g., race and ethnicity) in IBD management and outcomes and tailor evidence-based interventions to reduce these disparities.

The results are expected to improve the understanding of the natural history and epidemiology of IBD, including social and psychosocial factors, and support public health practice, including enhancing clinical and self-management strategies, promoting healthcare provider’s awareness and education, and tailoring interventions to address health disparities, and to improve overall health outcomes among patients with IBD.