Engaging communities to reduce exposure to harmful metals in drinking water
Community Engagement Core
This study is working with tribal communities in North and South Dakota to help them tackle the problem of harmful arsenic and uranium in their drinking water, by teaching residents about the risks and involving them in finding solutions together.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Columbia University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10877765 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research focuses on partnering with tribal communities in North and South Dakota to address the issue of arsenic and uranium contamination in drinking water. Through community engagement, advocacy, and citizen science, the project aims to empower local residents to participate in identifying and mitigating health risks associated with these toxic elements. The approach includes educational workshops and capacity-building initiatives to enhance community knowledge and involvement in health-related decision-making. By integrating traditional knowledge with scientific methods, the project seeks to create sustainable solutions for affected populations.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for participation are individuals from tribal communities in North and South Dakota who are exposed to arsenic and uranium in their drinking water.
Not a fit: Patients living outside the targeted tribal communities or those not exposed to arsenic and uranium in their drinking water may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly reduce health risks associated with toxic metal exposure in drinking water for tribal communities.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown success in community engagement approaches to address environmental health issues, indicating a promising potential for this initiative.
Where this research is happening
New York, United States
- Columbia University Health Sciences — New York, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: O'leary, Marcia — Columbia University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: O'leary, Marcia
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.