Air Pollution and Well-Being in Uganda: Understanding Risks and How to Protect Children and Adults
Official title: Air Pollution and Well-Being: Assessing Risks and Enhancing Education in Uganda (AWARE Study)
Funded at Massachusetts General Hospital · NIH-11601054 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A short study will explore how biomass smoke affects health and daily life in Uganda and test practical tips to reduce exposure.
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) | $17,992 |
| NIH project number | 3R21ES036753-02S2 |
| Project ID | NIH-11601054 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal participants include individuals exposed to biomass smoke in rural or biomass-heavy settings in Uganda, including adults and children.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without exposure to biomass smoke or those not engaged in the study areas may see limited direct benefit.
What this research studies
This project works with people in Uganda to learn how air pollution from biomass burning affects health and well-being. It will use existing study groups and observational data to understand behavior, attitudes, and potential protections that families can adopt. Researchers will translate guidelines into simple actions and education that communities can implement to reduce exposure and improve health outcomes. The work is designed to be deliverable within an R21 timeframe, focusing on feasibility of education strategies and behavioral changes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, communities could adopt practical steps to lower exposure to biomass smoke and protect cardiovascular and respiratory health.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work shows that tailored education and behavior changes can reduce exposure in some settings, but effectiveness in biomass-heavy rural areas remains underexplored.
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.