Air pollution and heart disease in American Indian communities

Air Pollution and Cardiovascular Disease in American Indian Communities

['FUNDING_R01'] · COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCES · NIH-11234262

Researchers are measuring air pollution and blood pressure to see how pollution affects heart health for American Indian adults in the Southwest and Great Plains.

Quick facts

Phase['FUNDING_R01']
Study typeNih_funding
SexAll
SponsorCOLUMBIA UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCES (nih funded)
Locations1 site (NEW YORK, UNITED STATES)
Trial IDNIH-11234262 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this research studies

This project links air quality measurements to health data from American Indian participants in the Strong Heart Study. For four years, teams will place air filters and pumps at central sites in Arizona, Oklahoma, and the Dakotas and use spatio-temporal models to map short- and long-term pollution exposure across communities. Those exposure estimates will be connected to participants' blood pressure readings and cardiovascular outcomes to find patterns. The work aims to identify pollution components and sources that may raise heart disease risk in these communities.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates are American Indian adults living in the study regions (Arizona, Oklahoma, North and South Dakota) who are enrolled in or eligible for the Strong Heart Study, especially those with or at risk for cardiovascular disease.

Not a fit: People who do not live in the study regions or who are not part of the Strong Heart Study cohort may not directly benefit from this project's findings.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, it could identify pollution sources and exposure levels tied to higher blood pressure and heart disease, informing local prevention efforts and policies to protect American Indian communities.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has linked air pollution to heart disease and higher blood pressure in other populations, but direct evidence in American Indian communities is limited.

Where this research is happening

NEW YORK, UNITED STATES

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.

View on NIH RePORTER →

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.