OU researchers will investigate how the COVID-19 pandemic and social unrest in the U.S. affect the physical and mental health of Black Americans, according to a university press release. The research team at the TSET Health Promotion Research Center â located on the OU Health Sciences Center campus â will launch this statewide cohort study, called Project Trinity, in February, according to the release. The researchers said the socio-economic disruption from the pandemic and the social unrest may lead to detrimental health choices like greater tobacco and alcohol use, sedentary behavior and poor dietary choices. Dr. Adam Alexander, the project leader and an assistant professor at the OU Health Sciences Center campus, said the project aims to provide insights for policymakers, public health professionals and researchers in Oklahoma. The information from the project can be used to inform public policy and to restore the trust between Black Americans, law enforcement and other public institutions, Alexander said in the release.Â