Exploring ways to improve health in tribal communities affected by COVID-19
Official title: Forging our Futures: Studying Science to Protect Tribal Health
Funded at Northwest Portland Area Indian Hlth Bd · NIH-10902085 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is all about helping high school students from tribal communities learn about health issues, especially those related to COVID-19, so they can become future scientists and help improve health in their communities.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Northwest Portland Area Indian Hlth Bd NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Portland, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2022 |
| Project end | July 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $383,687 |
| NIH project number | 5S06GM145214-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10902085 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are high school juniors and seniors from tribal communities interested in health sciences.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not part of tribal communities or who are not high school students may not receive direct benefits from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on addressing the health challenges faced by tribal communities during the COVID-19 pandemic. It aims to engage high school students in population health sciences by developing an introductory program that highlights public health issues relevant to these communities. The program will cover various topics, including virology, genetics, and epidemiology, to inspire students to pursue careers in health research. By fostering a new generation of tribal scientists, the project seeks to enhance the capacity for addressing health disparities in these populations.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could empower tribal communities by increasing the number of trained health professionals who understand and can address their unique health challenges.
How similar studies have gone: Similar initiatives have shown promise in increasing health awareness and career interest among underrepresented populations, suggesting a positive outlook for this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Northwest Portland Area Indian Hlth Bd
Portland, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Becker, Thomas Mark — Northwest Portland Area Indian Hlth Bd
- Study coordinator: Becker, Thomas 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.