Exploring why Amish communities maintain high birth rates in a low-fertility environment
Official title: Understanding fertility trends in a cohesive high-fertility population within a low-fertility environment
Funded at Pennsylvania State University, the · NIH-10808419 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at why Amish communities have more babies than most people today, exploring how their jobs, beliefs, and personal situations might play a role in their high birth rates.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Pennsylvania State University, the NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (University Park, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $137,160 |
| NIH project number | 1K99HD111665-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10808419 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for participation or benefit from this research include individuals or families from Amish communities who are interested in understanding their fertility patterns.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not belong to Amish communities or those who are not interested in fertility trends may not receive any benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the unique fertility patterns of Amish populations who continue to have high birth rates despite living in a society where overall fertility has declined. By creating a comprehensive dataset that captures demographic trends across various Amish communities, the project aims to identify the factors influencing these high birth rates, such as occupation, religious beliefs, and individual circumstances. The study will utilize cross-sectional analyses to understand the variations in birth rates among different Amish groups, providing insights into their reproductive behaviors and community dynamics.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide valuable insights into fertility trends that may inform public health policies and family planning initiatives.
How similar studies have gone: While there have been sporadic studies on Amish fertility, this research aims to provide a novel, comprehensive analysis that has not been previously undertaken.
Where this research is happening
-
Pennsylvania State University, the
University Park, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Anderson, Cory — Pennsylvania State University, the
- Study coordinator: Anderson, Cory
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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.