Accelerating Rheumatic Heart Disease Prevention in Uganda
Official title: Accelerating Delivery of rheumatic heart disease preventive iNterventions in Uganda (ADUNU)
Funded at Cincinnati Childrens Hosp Med Ctr · NIH-11645314 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A program to find people with rheumatic heart disease in Ugandan communities and give them preventive care close to home.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Cincinnati Childrens Hosp Med Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cincinnati, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2022 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $259,839 |
| NIH project number | 3R01HL164615-05S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11645314 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Children and young adults in RHD-endemic communities who can be screened in the community and receive regular preventive care.
✕Less likely to help
People without RHD or those unable to access community screening and ongoing prevention may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project tests a community-based approach to identify people with rheumatic heart disease (RHD) and provide regular antibiotic protection near where they live. It uses handheld echocardiography to screen communities and a nurse-led system to deliver monthly preventive injections. The study will start in two districts in Uganda, with one district serving as a demonstration area and the other as a replication site, to build evidence for wider rollout. The goal is to increase early detection and ensure easier access to life-saving prevention for families affected by RHD. The approach is designed to inform national-scale implementation and reduce disease burden in both low-income settings and populations in the United States with higher RHD risk, such as Native American groups.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the program could dramatically improve early detection and close-by access to prevention, potentially reducing heart damage and hospitalizations from RHD.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work shows promising results with handheld screening and nurse-led prevention, but this project aims to create scalable implementation models for broader use.
Where this research is happening
-
Cincinnati Childrens Hosp Med Ctr
Cincinnati, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Beaton, Andrea Zawacki — Cincinnati Childrens Hosp Med Ctr
- Study coordinator: Beaton, Andrea Zawacki
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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.