The Department of Preventive Medicine focuses on primary and secondary disease prevention, particularly in the areas of hypertension, cardiovascular disease and minority health. The department has a long track record of research in these areas, including several clinical trials sponsored by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Physicians in the department see thousands of patients each year at the Rush University Hypertension Center. Typically, these patients are at high risk for cardiovascular disease or have had difficulty controlling blood pressure, and are seeking a second or third opinion. Currently, the department is involved with numerous NIH-sponsored activities. These include serving as:

• A primary site for the Women’s Health Initiative
• A primary site for the Women in the Southside Health Project (WISH) Study
• A primary site for the study of women's health across the United States, called SWAN in Chicago

Initiatives in community health are also an integral part of the department’s research efforts. For more information aobut community health activities, see the Section of Community and Social Medicine.

The department also has a strong commitment to teaching, including the sections of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, as well as a master’s degree program in clinical research. Faculty members in preventive medicine also teach residents and medical students. For more information about academic efforts in the Department of Preventive Medicine, see the Rush University site.

The Department of Preventive Medicine is known for:

• Expert consultation for people with high blood pressure
• Expertise in the care of patients with secondary hypertension and people with diabetes and renal insufficiency
• Clinical research.

Lynda Powell, PhD, is chairperson of the Department of Preventive Medicine. The preventive medicine faculty includes physicians and scientists with expertise in patient care, disease prevention, clinical research and community medicine.