Creating a tool to measure the impact of historical trauma on the health of American Indian and Alaska Native populations
Official title: Development of an Instrument for Assessment of Indigenous Historical Trauma as a Social Determinant of Health Among American Indian/Alaska Native Populations
Funded at George Washington University · NIH-10884275 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working to create a helpful tool that will measure how historical trauma affects the health of American Indian and Alaska Native communities, so we can better understand and address health issues that arise from these past experiences.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | George Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Washington, United States) |
| Project start | July 10, 2023 |
| Project end | November 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $642,886 |
| NIH project number | 5R01MD018118-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10884275 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are American Indian and Alaska Native individuals who have experienced or are affected by historical trauma.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not identify as American Indian or Alaska Native may not receive direct benefits from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to develop a comprehensive assessment tool to measure indigenous historical trauma (IHT) as a social determinant of health among American Indian and Alaska Native populations. By employing community-based research methods and collaborating with local tribes, the project will gather qualitative data to better understand the broader effects of IHT on health disparities. The goal is to create a validated instrument that captures the complex, cross-generational impacts of historical trauma, which can then be used to inform health interventions and policies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved health outcomes for American Indian and Alaska Native populations by addressing the root causes of health disparities.
How similar studies have gone: While research on historical trauma is emerging, this specific approach to developing a validated assessment tool is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested.
Where this research is happening
-
George Washington University
Washington, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Edberg, Mark — George Washington University
- Study coordinator: Edberg, Mark
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.