Clean air and heat relief program: improving heart and lung health for kids and patients in Oregon
Official title: Clean Air and Heat Relief: Evaluating Cardiovascular and Respiratory Health Outcomes Among Recipients of Oregon's Free AC and Air Filter Program
Funded at Oregon State University · NIH-11344647 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A large study will look at whether providing free portable air conditioners and air filters to medically vulnerable people, including children, helps reduce breathing and heart health problems.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Oregon State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Corvallis, United States) |
| Project start | September 22, 2026 |
| Project end | September 21, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $3,203,867 |
| NIH project number | 1R01ES039858-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11344647 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Medically vulnerable individuals in Oregon who lack adequate cooling or air filtration, including children aged 0-11 and people with chronic respiratory or cardiovascular conditions.
✕Less likely to help
Patients not using or not exposed to heat/wildfire risks or who do not need cooling/filtration may see limited direct benefit.
What this research studies
This project tests whether giving free AC units and air filters to people at risk from heat and smoke exposure improves heart and lung health. It uses mixed methods to measure both how the program is run and how well it works, using real-world data from Oregon’s health system. The study follows participants over time to see changes in respiratory and cardiovascular outcomes and to understand how best to implement the program for others to use. Results could guide decisions about expanding similar supports to more communities.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the program could lower hospital visits and improve quality of life for vulnerable patients during heat waves and wildfires.
How similar studies have gone: This approach has shown feasibility and potential, with evidence suggesting that cooling and filtration can reduce exposure and health risks in some communities, but full effectiveness in a large-scale public program remains to be demonstrated.
Where this research is happening
-
Oregon State University
Corvallis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hystad, Perry W — Oregon State University
- Study coordinator: Hystad, Perry W
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.