Exploring the social factors affecting heart health in rural Southern communities
Official title: Understanding the Macrosocial Drivers of Cardiovascular Health in the Rural South
Funded at University of California Berkeley · NIH-11070819 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how things like your neighborhood and community can affect heart health, especially for people living in rural Southern areas, and it aims to find ways to help those who are struggling with heart disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Berkeley NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Berkeley, United States) |
| Project start | November 1, 2024 |
| Project end | October 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $45,965 |
| NIH project number | 1F31MD020261-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11070819 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals living in rural Southern areas, particularly those from racial and ethnic minority groups who are at higher risk for cardiovascular diseases.
✕Less likely to help
Patients living in urban areas or those without cardiovascular health concerns may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the social and environmental factors that contribute to cardiovascular disease (CVD) in rural areas of the Southern United States. It aims to understand how neighborhood environments impact health disparities, particularly among different racial and ethnic groups. By examining the structural processes of disinvestment in these communities, the study seeks to identify the key drivers of poor cardiovascular health and the social determinants that influence access to care. The findings could help inform targeted interventions to improve heart health in these underserved populations.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved strategies for reducing cardiovascular disease disparities in rural communities.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success in understanding health disparities in urban settings, but this approach is novel as it focuses specifically on rural populations.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California Berkeley
Berkeley, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Benjamin, Larissa — University of California Berkeley
- Study coordinator: Benjamin, Larissa
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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.