SUMMARY
LaPrincess C. Brewer, M.D., M.P.H., is a cardiologist who researches and develops strategies to improve cardiovascular health and care for underserved populations who face challenges accessing health services. Dr. Brewer has special interest in increasing participation in clinical trials, and her research incorporates digital and mobile health (mHealth) tools to help expand access.
Dr. Brewer also has published work on faith-based interventions for cardiovascular disease prevention, differences in weight maintenance among various population groups, and psychosocial factors influencing cardiovascular risk factors. She also is the principal investigator of the Cardiovascular Community Health Collaborative Laboratory.
Focus areas
Lifestyle behavior change
Dr. Brewer has developed a cardiovascular health and wellness program within African American churches. The program is focused on lifestyle behavior change. She is investigating the influence of self-efficacy, social support and self-regulation on behavior change. This work is done in collaboration with several community partners in the areas of Rochester, Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota.
Digital health tools and apps
Dr. Brewer is developing and testing a culturally aware, risk-based digital application (app) intervention that targets cardiovascular risk factors among African Americans. She also developed a patient-centric, virtual world technology-delivered cardiac rehabilitation program for people who face challenges accessing traditional cardiac rehabilitation services.
Social determinants of health
Dr. Brewer studies the role of psychosocial influences on cardiovascular health and risk factors. This includes consideration of how external conditions and lived experiences may influence health outcomes.
Women's health
Dr. Brewer's research studies have prioritized including women, particularly African American women, within lifestyle interventions given their disproportionately high risk of cardiovascular disease.
Significance to patient care
Dr. Brewer's research aims to improve heart health in communities that face greater health challenges. She studies how everyday factors, such as access to healthcare and healthy living resources, affect heart health. Her work helps create programs and education tools that support healthy lifestyle changes and improve heart health for people of all backgrounds.
Professional highlights
- Mayo Clinic Early Career Alumni Award, Mayo Clinic Alumni Association, 2024.
- Robert A. Winn Diversity in Clinical Trials Career Development Award, Bristol Meyers Squibb Foundation, 2022-2024.
- History Maker at Home Award, City of Minneapolis Department of Civil Rights, 2020.
- Harold Amos Medical Faculty Development Program Scholar Award, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, American Heart Association, 2019.
- Inaugural class member, Rising Stars, National Institutes of Health, 2019.
- Young Investigator Award, American Society for Preventive Cardiology Congress on CVD Prevention, 2019.
- KL2 Mentored Career Development Program, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, 2017.
- Research scholar, Building Interdisciplinary Research Careers in Women's Health, National Institutes of Health, Office of Research on Women's Health, 2016.