** Leveraging latest AI technologies with
evidence-based behavioral research to empower non-experts to screen
high-risk targets within the most vulnerable communities in the
USA **
NEW
YORK, June 24, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The
Hughes Holden Foundation, a nonprofit organization committed to
supporting initiatives that improve mental healthcare to
marginalized and underserved communities in the U.S., is proud to
announce a significant gift to Columbia
University.
This contribution will support groundbreaking work at
Columbia University's Fu Foundation
School of Engineering & Applied Sciences ('Columbia
Engineering') in two key areas ('Research Program'):
i) Applied Research into the design and development
of multimodal AI-based screening tools or use by non-experts
for early detection of and intervention in high-risk cases.
ii) Applied Research into the psychological impact of loss of
mobility in geriatric communities and targeted care.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) can play an important role in the
early detection and triage of higher risk mental health cases,
especially among vulnerable populations such as adolescent,
immigrant and geriatric communities, so precious limited
professional services can be directed to those who need them
most.
The funding will provide fellowships for graduate students at
Columbia Engineering working with a multi-disciplinary team of
faculty, graduate researchers and undergraduates under the
stewardship of Dean Shih-Fu Chang
and Professor of Biomedical Engineering X. Edward Guo. The Research Program will combine
the latest evidence-based behavioral research and methodologies
with advanced machine learning, generative AI models and biomedical
expertise to develop multimodal decision-support systems so
less-qualified clinicians, social workers and counselors in target
communities can act as advocates and case managers for early
intervention.
Dr. Peter Holden and Mr.
Tony Hughes, who established the
Foundation in 2023, made the following joint announcement about the
gift and selecting Columbia University
for this important work:
"While there is much research around the
scientific aspect of behavioral health, there is a dearth of
practical, in-field solutions which can be used at scale by those
best positioned in communities to help with early detection and
intervention. We chose Columbia Engineering because of its
multidisciplinary, pragmatic approach to designing solutions which
can be implemented in the real world for maximum impact"
Shih-Fu Chang, Dean of Columbia
Engineering, thanked the Foundation for its support:
"We are extremely grateful for the generosity
shown by the Hughes Holden Foundation in bestowing this gift on
Columbia. With our shared values of using advanced technology in
the service of social goods like physical and mental health, this
partnership underscores the critical need for research to support
new and innovative methods for improving people's lives."
Columbia University's Department of
Biomedical Engineering is also active in the field of ageing and
geriatric applied research and the impact of reduced mobility on
well-being with a particular focus on osteoporosis. This Department
is developing solutions to combat not only the physical and
biological aspect of osteoporosis but also, with funding from the
Hughes Holden Foundation, its psychological and behavioral impact
on mental health and resilience. Very often mobility cases are
handled by general practitioners or orthopaedic specialists with
little mental health awareness. The Research Program will also
explore the efficacy of using AI-driven decision support tools in
these situations to screen higher risk candidates early on and
refer to behavioral healthcare specialists.
About the Hughes Holden Foundation: The Hughes
Holden Foundation is a non-profit organization with registered
offices in Stamford, CT, dedicated
to improving mental health awareness, psychiatric education and
targeted treatment, with a specific focus on those in most need –
the marginalized and underserved communities in the USA. Founded by tech entrepreneurs Mr.
Tony Hughes and Dr. Peter Holden, the Foundation reflects their deep
connection and personal commitment towards democratizing quality
mental healthcare for all.
Further Details & Inquiries:
HHF Foundation:
Peter D.
Holden, President
(M) +1-949-212-6350
Email: Peter@hughesholdenfoundation.org
Columbia
University:
Holly
Evarts, Director of Strategic Communications and Media
Relations
(M) 347-453-7408 (O) 212-854-3206
Email: holly.evarts@columbia.edu
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SOURCE Hughes Holden Foundation