Air Pollution and Well-Being in Uganda: Reducing Biomass Exposure and Boosting Health Knowledge
Official title: Air Pollution and Well-Being: Assessing Risks and Enhancing Education in Uganda (AWARE Study)
Funded at Massachusetts General Hospital · NIH-11419190 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A short study in Uganda will explore how biomass smoke affects health and what people know and do to protect themselves, with plans to share practical tips with communities.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | September 23, 2025 |
| Project end | August 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $161,043 |
| NIH project number | 5R21ES036753-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11419190 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal participants include adults and children in biomass-exposed regions of Uganda who are willing to engage with education materials and share their experiences.
✕Less likely to help
People not exposed to biomass pollution or not willing to engage with education materials may see limited benefit.
What this research studies
This project uses existing study groups in a biomass-heavy area of Uganda to understand how air pollution from wood burning relates to health and daily behaviors. Researchers will collect local data and observe attitudes toward air quality, then test simple education strategies designed to help families reduce exposure. The approach emphasizes real-world relevance, community input, and practical health messaging that can be shared with residents and health workers. The goal is to identify feasible, culturally appropriate ways to lower risk and improve well-being.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the project could lead to clearer guidance and community-friendly actions that reduce biomass-related health risks.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research suggests education and behavior guidance can improve protective practices, but context-specific results in biomass-heavy regions are still emerging.
Where this research is happening
-
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: North, Crystal — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: North, Crystal
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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.