Research Priorities

The research priorities of Lorestan University of Medical Sciences (LUMS) have been developed to guide scientific activities toward addressing the most pressing health challenges of the region and the country. These priorities encompass a wide range of biomedical, clinical, public health, technological, and health system research domains, aiming to improve population health, strengthen the healthcare system, and support evidence-based policymaking.

1. Communicable Diseases

Research in this domain focuses on the epidemiology, prevention, diagnosis, and control of infectious diseases with significant public health impact. Priority topics include emerging and re-emerging infections, antimicrobial resistance, vaccine-preventable diseases, tuberculosis, viral infections, and zoonotic diseases. Emphasis is placed on surveillance systems, early detection, outbreak management, and effective preventive strategies.

2. Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs)

Given the increasing burden of chronic diseases, this domain prioritizes research on cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancers, respiratory disorders, and metabolic conditions. Studies addressing risk factors, early diagnosis, lifestyle interventions, rehabilitation, and long-term management of chronic diseases are strongly encouraged.

3. Health System Research (HSR)

This domain focuses on improving the performance, efficiency, equity, and responsiveness of the health system. Priority areas include health policy and management, healthcare financing, access to services, quality of care, patient safety, workforce development, and evaluation of healthcare programs and interventions.

4. Pharmaceutical Sciences

Research priorities include drug discovery and development, pharmaceutical technology, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, drug delivery systems, herbal medicines, and evaluation of medication safety and effectiveness. Innovation in pharmaceutical products and technologies is also emphasized.

5. Basic Medical Sciences

This domain supports fundamental biomedical research aimed at understanding biological mechanisms underlying diseases. Priority areas include molecular biology, genetics, immunology, physiology, cellular biology, and translational research bridging basic science and clinical applications.

6. Nutrition and Food Sciences

Research in nutrition aims to address dietary patterns, nutritional deficiencies, obesity, and food safety. Priority topics include nutritional epidemiology, functional foods, food security, dietary interventions for disease prevention, and the role of nutrition in chronic disease management.

7. Environmental Health and Occupational Health

This area focuses on environmental determinants of health, including air and water pollution, waste management, occupational hazards, and environmental risk assessment. Research supporting sustainable environmental practices and preventive health strategies is encouraged.

8. Dentistry

Research priorities in dental sciences include oral health promotion, prevention and management of dental diseases, oral infections, dental materials, and innovations in diagnostic and therapeutic approaches in dentistry.

9. Mental Health and Social Determinants of Health

This domain emphasizes psychological well-being, psychiatric disorders, and social determinants influencing health outcomes. Research priorities include mental health promotion, prevention and treatment of mental disorders, psychosocial factors affecting health, and the impact of socioeconomic conditions on health equity.

10. Injuries and Accidents

Given the significant burden of trauma and accidents, research priorities include epidemiology and prevention of injuries, trauma care systems, road traffic injuries, occupational accidents, and strategies to reduce morbidity and mortality related to accidents.

11. Aging and Elderly Health

With the growing aging population, this domain prioritizes research on physical, psychological, and social aspects of aging. Topics include chronic disease management in older adults, geriatric nursing care, cognitive disorders such as dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, rehabilitation, home-based care, fall prevention, quality of life, and support systems for elderly individuals and caregivers.

12. Artificial Intelligence and Health Technologies

This domain focuses on the integration of advanced technologies into healthcare. Research priorities include telemedicine, digital health solutions, decision-support systems, medical imaging technologies, virtual and augmented reality applications in healthcare, health information systems, and the use of social media and Internet of Things (IoT) in health promotion and healthcare delivery.

13. Disease Registries

Establishing and strengthening disease registries is considered essential for generating high-quality clinical and epidemiological data. Priority areas include cancer registries, trauma registries, multiple sclerosis registries, COVID-19 registries, and the development of standardized data systems to support clinical research and health policy planning.

14. Public Health Actions and Pandemic Preparedness (with Emphasis on COVID‑19)

A major component of the research agenda addresses public health responses to pandemics, particularly COVID‑19. Priority topics include epidemiological surveillance, infection prevention and control strategies, health system resilience, digital contact tracing, vaccination studies, public adherence to preventive measures, and evaluation of social restrictions.

Research also focuses on the broader societal impacts of pandemics, including economic consequences, health system capacity, mental health challenges among healthcare workers and the general population, misinformation management, social inequalities, and strategies to strengthen community resilience and risk communication.