Building a Healthy Immigrant Community Through Social Connections
Healthy Immigrant Community: Mobilizing the Power of Social Networks
This project helps immigrant adults improve their heart health by sharing healthy lifestyle tips through their social networks.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Minnesota NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Minneapolis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11160648 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Immigrant populations often arrive in the US healthier, but their risk for heart disease can increase over time due to changes in lifestyle. This project uses a community-based approach, working directly with immigrant groups to create and deliver health programs. Researchers previously found that health behaviors are often shared within social networks. Now, the team is redesigning existing health materials for overweight and obese immigrant adults, to be delivered by peers within their own social circles.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are overweight or obese adults from immigrant communities who are interested in improving their cardiovascular health through community-based programs.
Not a fit: Patients who are not overweight or obese, or who are not part of an immigrant community, may not directly benefit from this specific program.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this program could help immigrant adults maintain their health and reduce their risk of heart disease by promoting healthier eating and activity habits.
How similar studies have performed: A previous version of this program showed significant improvements in dietary quality, and social network analysis confirmed that health behaviors cluster within these networks.
Where this research is happening
Minneapolis, United States
- University of Minnesota — Minneapolis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wieland, Mark L. — University of Minnesota
- Study coordinator: Wieland, Mark L.
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 below.