The Center of Excellence is a partnership between the University of South Carolina and Claflin University and is designed to reduce health disparities in HIV/AIDS and HPV/cervical cancer, particularly among minorities in rural areas of South Carolina. The partnership is a result of a federally funded grant from the National Institutes of Health's (NIH) National Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NCMHHD).

The Center of Excellence goals are to contribute to the reduction of health disparities in South Carolina and in the United States by developing researchers who can address the diagnosis of HIV/AIDS and HPV/cervical cancer in African-American populations. In addition, the center works with the Orangeburg, SC community to assist with research activities and to design community-led programs and resources to educate and promote awareness about these health conditions.

The Center of Excellence Partnerships' Objectives

• Promote and conduct research to reduce health disparities;
• Increase the number of professionals from minority and underserved populations for training in biomedical and behavioral research;
• Increase scientific and health information relevant to underserved populations; and
• Promote and increase the minority community's participation in research, prevention, and intervention activities.