A program to reduce stress and improve health in older African American women.
Official title: The Impact of a Race-Based Stress Reduction Intervention on Well-Being, Inflammation, and DNA methylation in Older African American Women at Risk for Cardiometabolic Disease
Funded at Loyola University Chicago · NIH-11032819 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a special eight-week program called RiSE that helps older African American women reduce stress and improve their health by focusing on the effects of racism and discrimination, and it aims to make them feel better both mentally and physically.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Loyola University Chicago NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Maywood, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2023 |
| Project end | January 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $643,009 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AG081251-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11032819 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are older African American women who are at risk for conditions like obesity, hypertension, and prediabetes.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not African American or who do not fall into the older age category may not receive benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates a unique stress reduction program designed specifically for older African American women who are at risk for cardiometabolic disease. The program, called Resilience, Stress, and Ethnicity (RiSE), lasts for eight weeks and incorporates cognitive-behavioral strategies that address the psychological and social impacts of racism and discrimination. Participants will engage in group sessions aimed at enhancing their well-being, reducing inflammation, and improving health outcomes. The study will measure changes in psychological distress, inflammatory markers, and DNA methylation to assess the program's effectiveness.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved mental and physical health outcomes for older African American women at risk for cardiometabolic disease.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results with similar stress reduction interventions targeting minority populations, indicating potential for success in this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Loyola University Chicago
Maywood, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Saban, Karen Lynn — Loyola University Chicago
- Study coordinator: Saban, Karen Lynn
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.