Exploring how social connections affect health in the Blackfeet community
Official title: Social Connectedness and Health in the Blackfeet Community: An Investigation of Biopsychosocial Mediators
Funded at Montana State University - Bozeman · NIH-10980530 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how having strong social connections affects the health of American Indians living on the Blackfeet reservation in Montana, and it’s for adults in that community who want to help understand and improve their health, especially regarding issues like diabetes and depression.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Montana State University - Bozeman NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Bozeman, United States) |
| Project start | December 9, 2021 |
| Project end | November 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $552,150 |
| NIH project number | 5R01MD015894-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-10980530 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are Blackfeet American Indian adults aged 21 and older who reside on the Blackfeet reservation.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not belong to the Blackfeet community or are under 21 years old may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the relationship between social connectedness and health outcomes among American Indians living on the Blackfeet reservation in Montana. By engaging 280 adults over two years, the study will track changes in mental and physical health, as well as social connections, using various health metrics. The goal is to understand how social ties may influence chronic disease risks, such as diabetes and depression, which are prevalent in this community. Participants will provide data through surveys and health assessments to identify potential resilience factors that could improve health outcomes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved health strategies that enhance social connectedness and reduce chronic disease risks in the Blackfeet community.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that social connectedness positively impacts health in various populations, suggesting potential for success in this context as well.
Where this research is happening
-
Montana State University - Bozeman
Bozeman, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: John-Henderson, Neha — Montana State University - Bozeman
- Study coordinator: John-Henderson, Neha
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.