Concentrated investment to improve health in low-income Philadelphia neighborhoods
Randomized Controlled Trial of Concentrated Investment in Low-Income Neighborhoods to Improve Health
This project brings coordinated investments in housing, jobs, safety, and services to improve health for adults living in low-income Philadelphia neighborhoods.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pennsylvania NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11126053 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you live in a low-income neighborhood in Philadelphia, some neighborhoods will be randomly chosen to receive concentrated investments while others continue as usual. The investments include housing improvements, economic supports, community safety measures, counseling, and expanded local services to address multiple causes of poor health together. Researchers will follow adults in the neighborhoods over time with surveys, health records, and community measures to track changes in wellbeing, stress, and health outcomes. The aim is to reduce the long-standing gaps in health and life expectancy linked to neighborhood conditions.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults aged 21 and older who live in the selected low-income neighborhoods in Philadelphia are the intended participants.
Not a fit: People who do not live in the targeted neighborhoods, are under 21, or whose health issues are unrelated to neighborhood conditions are unlikely to directly benefit from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could reduce health inequities and increase wellbeing and life expectancy for adults in targeted low-income neighborhoods.
How similar studies have performed: Prior single-focus neighborhood programs have shown limited and mixed results, so this bundled, concentrated-investment approach is newer and less tested but builds on promising community development ideas.
Where this research is happening
Philadelphia, United States
- University of Pennsylvania — Philadelphia, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: South, Eugenia C — University of Pennsylvania
- Study coordinator: South, Eugenia C
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.