Family Health and Wellbeing Over Three Generations

Fragile Families: The Third Generation

NIH-funded research Columbia Univ New York Morningside · NIH-11088770

This project gathers information about health, family life, and biological factors across three generations to understand how these aspects are passed down.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionColumbia Univ New York Morningside NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (New York, United States)
Project IDNIH-11088770 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This project expands the long-running Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study, which has followed parents (Generation 1) and their children (Generation 2) since 1998-2000. Now that Generation 2 children are having their own children (Generation 3), this project will collect new information on the health of these G3 children and the early parenting experiences of G2. Researchers will also gather details about the households and families where G3 children are born. The data collection includes surveys and biological samples like saliva from G3 children and their non-FF parents, and stool samples from G3 children. This comprehensive approach aims to create a unique dataset with social, environmental, and biological information across three generations.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Families who are already part of the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study, specifically the Generation 2 children who are now having their own children (Generation 3), would be ideal participants.

Not a fit: Individuals not part of the existing Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study would not be direct participants in this specific data collection effort.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: This research could help us better understand how health and economic challenges are passed down through families, potentially leading to new ways to support families and improve well-being for future generations.

How similar studies have performed: This project builds upon the long-running and successful Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study, expanding its scope to a third generation.

Where this research is happening

New York, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.