The Voices for Community Health Equity and New Systems and System Changes (VoiCES) lab at UCI, has a mission to leverage research processes to:

• Work alongside communities of color and low-income communities to understand how policies, systems, and environmental factors shape health inequities
• Identify and evaluate community-informed interventions to promote health equity with a goal of leveraging research processes as a tool to support and amplify community-driven social change strategies

What we do

Our lab focuses on health equity and health justice projects and uses mixed methods research and a Community-Based Participatory Research (CPBR) approach. Through the lab, students participate in immersive public health research experience, engaging directly with faculty, research staff, community health organizations, and study participants.

Our research lab leverages qualitative research methods and mixed methods to uncover and communicate the stories and lessons from our work with underserved communities. Through qualitative research, we amplify voices and highlight the complexities of lived experiences, fostering greater empathy and understanding. By closely examining the narratives, experiences, and insights of individuals within these communities, we can gain a deeper understanding of their challenges and triumphs.

This approach allows us to share impactful stories and actionable insights that can inform and inspire meaningful change in health equity and community well-being.

Who we are

VoiCES lab is directed by Dr. Alana LeBron whose research interests include structural racism and health, health of Latina/o communities, and  community-based participatory research.

We partner with undergraduate and graduate students in Public Health and across other disciplines to support our community engaged health equity work. We work in partnership with local community based organizations to inform and drive key research aspects.

Discover Our Mission & Work: A Video Introduction to the VoiCES Lab